Colorscapes: color-being
Open Access“Colorscapes: color-being” presents the colors of the rainbow in individual therapeutic environments, each associated with an artist, an architect or an educator recognized for his or her work involving color. Inviting visitors to connect with the healing properties of color, “Colorscapes: color-being” is a response to increasing levels of societal depression, recognizing the potential of color immersion in everyday living environments to transform quality of life and well-being. “Colorscapes: color-being” is an exhibition that emerges out of research linking color to both physical and mental health, and it examines the possibilities of utilizing color’s healing properties. “Colorscapes: color-being” explores spaces where visitors particularly affected by depression or continuous stress can observe the effects of color and learn strategies to live more color-infused lives. “Colorscapes: color-being” attempts to narrow the gap between traditional healing methods focused largely on chemical medications and alternative, softer methods, such as color therapy. Through the properties of color, each relaying different temperatures, symbolic connections or cultural connotations, color as a healing device is approached using both visual and tangible ‘colorscapes.’ These are implementable in individual living spaces using simple interventions in personalized milieus. Exploring the notion of guided self-help as a means of cognitive therapy against depression, the “Colorscapes: color-being” thesis proposal presents design history examples that have taken a mindful approach to both the body and mind, not just the built environment. “Colorscapes: color-being” is an interpretation of the seven prismatic colors as used by color practitioners known for their color related executions; each color is presented in an individual enclosure that provides a series of unique opportunities for personal exploration of one’s relationship with color. “Colorscapes: color-being” responds to the growing prevalence of depression and deprivation of well-being in our daily lives and assesses color’s healing properties in close-proximity environments. “Colorscapes: color-being” connects color with elements of case studies from color practitioners, translating the principles of their work into color-saturated physical environments. The color-involving techniques, approaches and alternative solutions borrow methods from architects Alvar Aalto, Luis Barragán, Le Corbusier, Emmanuelle Moureaux, artists Olafur Eliasson and Do Ho Suh, and artist-educator-scientist Josef Albers. Iterations of the role model’s core principles reinvestigate color’s subjective impact for personal interpretation. Seeking to stimulate color feeling, the colorscape modules invite individual exploration of color environments. By stepping out of learned boundaries and being open to alternative approaches, it is possible to improve individual mental well-being and to control the moods of depression through the healing properties of colored surroundings. For improved mood or atmosphere in our personal spaces (at home or in our designated work areas), changes can be subtle, executed simply with a light fixture or brightly colored accent walls, but profound, having an impact on personal, subconscious long-term emotionality. Through the “Colorscapes: color-being” exhibition, individuals empowered to self-improve and ready to adjust their learned behaviors are introduced to simple means to live more colorful, happier lives.
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