Colour as a relational phenomenon

Authors

• Nina Laaksonen Aalto-yliopisto

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37449/ennenjanyt.112479

Keywords:

relationality, posthumanism, colour, experience, art pedagogy

Abstract

Abstract
Colour’s being in the world has for long been studied from the basic sciences’ points of view, and the knowledge thus gained presents colour as different measurable units and colour spaces. But when colour is approached from the relational ontology’s point of view, different kinds of questions arise. Former knowledge is not enough to research this point of view, but we need to rethink colour in relation with today’s phenomena and the discourse of them. Colour’s being in the world can be interpreted as a constant movement and communication with other entities. In that case the focus lies on the observer, the perception process and the interaction resulting in something that occurs.

Historically viewed direct colour perceptions by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and his research on colour still echoes today. Goethe’s way to study and observe colour and his trust on his own perception when it comes to colour, inspires the study of colour perception and experience both in art’s and art pedagogy’s point of view. Goethe’s research was followed by various colour interpretations and theories of which arose the most known colour theories used in teaching colour even today.

This article is based on ongoing doctoral thesis where the ontological questions on colour and colour experience are rethought. In this thesis colour is approached with artistic research and post qualitative methodology. Colour is observed in relation with man, nature, existing and living in different kinds of climates and environments. With the posthuman framework colour is approached as an active agent among other actors. As interactive actors colours can teach us to see the world in a new way. The question about the relations built through colours is current right now, when the ecological action of human beings is critically scrutinized.

Keywords: relationality, posthumanism, colour, experience, art pedagogy