One other publication that immediately came to mind was Stranger by Olivia Arthur. The content is comprised of a collection of photographs taken all across the world, taken by Arthur herself, but the physical design of the book is the creation of Melanie Mues, a specialist publication designer. Every page of the book is printed on transparent paper, with the intention that no image may be viewed independently to the others. Each double page spread allows the content from the current, previous and next pages to be viewed, overlaying the three images in a unique sequence that changes at every turn.
This concept would be very interesting when applied to colour, as colour could be overlaid to create a mix of colours, and would enhance that personal, memory-like quality of the content.
Extracts from Stranger by Olivia Arthur
I also looked at the work of John Baldessari, and in particular his works surrounding colour and characters, looking at the way certain colours and emotions are associated with colours or expressions. The simple layouts and the collection of different colours was what interested me most about these pieces, as they are simple but aesthetically pleasing to the eye.
Also during the research stage I happened to watch the film Submarine. As I looked into the aesthetics of this publication I kept recalling the character of Jordana, and the colour red that is associated with her throughout the film through the clothes she wears (coat, wellingtons, sunglasses, cardigan). I also recalled one scene in particular in which the main character judges the relationship of his parents by the level of the lighting in their bedroom. I was interested in the format of how the scene was displayed on film (below), and also the use of the circular lampshade.
Submarine, 2010, dir. Richard Ayoade
From here I started to think about presenting the colours in a sample/documentation style, using a circle for each colour one every page, and so after a critique I looked further into artists who use circles within their works.
The video of Simian Mobile Disco's Synthesise was recommended to me as it only uses simple black and white circles on alternating backgrounds:
The Perfect Circle, by artist, designer and illustrator Jeroen Erosie, was also recommended to me. This video sees Erosie draw a near perfect circle using just a spray can and the movement his arm.
The video of Simian Mobile Disco's Synthesise was recommended to me as it only uses simple black and white circles on alternating backgrounds:
Simian Mobile Disco - Synthesise (2009)
The Perfect Circle, by artist, designer and illustrator Jeroen Erosie, was also recommended to me. This video sees Erosie draw a near perfect circle using just a spray can and the movement his arm.
The Perfect Circle, Jeroen Erosie (2012)
Another work which interested me was Two Lakes, by Amelia Bande/Deborah Bower/Mat Fleming/Annette Knol. The piece consists of a short film made from hand made 35mm film reels and an accompanying narration. The film gathers together blocks of colour, sometimes overlapping and sometimes just placed side by side, sometimes complimenting and sometimes contrasting. The colours help to guide the narration, with particular colours and patterns appearing when certain parts of the story told.
Selected still from the film Two Lakes