Some anecdotes about colour.
Every visual stimulus processed by the human perceptual system contains colour information. Colour typically exerts its influence on psychological functioning in an automatic fashion; the full process from evaluation of the colour stimulus to activation and operation of motivated behaviour typically takes place without conscious intention or awareness. Furthermore, although it is believed that some colour effects are biologically based and pancultural, it is likely that at least some colour meanings and effects are entirely learned and can vary by culture. (Andrew J.Elliot and Markus A. Maier 2007)
Colour and culture:
Place and identity, cultural geography: How important are local colors for people’s identity? Over the years we have developed our sensitivity to color. Heritage, preservation of identity and search for meaning in a wider European context are perhaps to blame for this.
Three ways to study colors of a place: 1) background colors i.e. water, trees, earth, clay etc. (landscape, nature/culture) 2) site-specific color patterns link foreground and background colors in a certain ratio. Orange rooftiles don’t reflect their background colors, yet they are specific for Holland. Another pattern can be seen in contrast and clarity of colors i.e. white window frames-dark brickwork (common color patterns of a country) 3) color incidents don’t fit within these patterns. They form an exception and are meant to do so. Their existence could kickstart a new pattern. Sometimes a whole district is given a conspicuous color to form an architectural landmark.
Three fundamental aspects of place as a meaningful location: 1) location (coordinates) 2) locale (setting for social relations, e.g. architecture, political, gender and economic settings let people consume and produce meaning) 3) sense of place (attachment to place; what’s it like to be there, the experience) Forces of globalisation have eroded local cultures and produced homogenous spaces.
In Lower Harlem and South Bronx Puertoricans ‘replicated’ buildings from home. These homes were idealised through use of colors like coral (?), turqouise and lemon yellow. A space becomes a space by giving it your own identity. National identities are communicated to the rest of the world through postage stamps, money,national stadia , parliament buildings etc. Colour plays an important role in this.