Colour Complex

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Final Output

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Layering Explorations

These are some test renders showing different colour combinations, play with transparency and juxtaposition of materials. This is one of the room dividers to be placed within the space. I wanted to achieve different things from this modelling practice; figure out forms and shapes that relate back to Albers’ minimalism style, explore different colour combinations from the colour scheme used in the previous project (Variant 5), figure out a way to separate the spaces without fully creating a solid barrier in between them - keeping the fluidity between different sections in the apartment design but as well as keep the interaction between the colours and materials.  

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Floor Plan Exploration 

Dissecting sections of the WW level 5 space and associating it with the colours used in the previous assignment - using colour and feeling to organise the space. Upon reading Josef Albers’ Interaction of Color, each section talks about a specfic colour theory with a corresponding diagram and/or exercise. I decided to interpret these exercises as a way to organise the space within WW level 5. Intrigued by the overlapping and interaction between the shapes, I wanted to further explore the possibilities of layering and juxtaposing different materials together to create pockets of spaces. 

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Experimentation

Exploring how colours would bleed into the space, testing reflective qualities. 

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Tile Making Workshop

These are some tiles made from the Tile Workshop. These tiles were inspired by the colour experiments I’ve done which relates back to Josef Albers’ colour theories. These tiles were exploration of a new medium. I would say the first two tiles show direct relationship with the artist’s colour theories whereas the other tiles are just exploration of how materials work together and looking at possible outcomes when working with clay. 

During the tile making session, it was interesting to understand how clay works and the amount of effort and care you’d have to put in in order to generate something acceptable. We learnt about different kinds of clay, glazes and techniques. What intrigued me is the fact that we’re designing a tile that could be repeated to set a tone within a space. Thinking about where I would put these tiles, I would consider placing them as an accent wall, a back splash in the kitchen area and as bathroom tiles as well. 

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Final Presentation

Final Iteration of curtain on cotton voile (not to scale) - dimensions can be found on the final presentation, top right.

This project revolves around Joself Albers' theories regarding colour, focusing on two main aspects; layering and using light to project colour blending. Albers mainly worked two dimensionally, creating abstract works that focuses on how different colour harmonies which are created through simple use of juxtaposition and layering. The colours used in the preliminary stages of model making and wallpaper designs were derived from Homage to the Square where certain colours were layered together in order to create a form of illusion. He [Albers] uses a lot of linear, sharp edges and qualities to his works; therefore, for the initial wallpaper designs these qualities were highly accentuated.

 This project was originally going to be a wallpaper design to be placed in WW501; however, upon further exploration of the space, it had more windows than walls; majority of the walls were placed in darker, cornered areas. Therefore, I decided to change the course of this project into a curtain. As mentioned, one of Josef Albers’ focus was developing colour theories revolving changes in placement, light and opacity which can produce a significant change in the outcome of colours projected. The colours used for the proposed curtain design was focused on one of his theories and experiments done with Yale University (pictured below); where by overlapping colours, it creates a new spectrum and/or scheme. The proposed curtain is composed of two layers; each piece focusing on different hues present in his experimentation and to see how colours interact with each other through light and layering. For the final curtain design, darker purple hues are on the first layer; placed on the edge and across the middle to show tonal change and new spectrum of colours; adding depth and dimension to the curtain. The yellows and orange hues framed by deeper purples and reds are placed in the second layer. These colours give vibrance to the space; hence why it is situated in the middle. The material plays a vital role in order to make it operative. Because this project is exploring light projection and layering, a thinner material like cotton voile is preferred in order to maximise its effects. The final output will be placed in WW505 as that is the room that receives the most amount of light.

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Pattern Developments and Experimentations

these are further exploration of layering and positioning using the five main colours (pictured below) seen in Josef Albers’ experiment with Yale University

Going forward towards the final, one of the most important things to keep in mind is that it has to convey the artist’s colour theory regarding transparency and colour illusion. these explorations all revolve around the same idea of layering and thoroughly looking into light projection. 

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Transparency Experimentation

Upon reseraching, I noticed in Josef Albers’ works there were numerous overlapping and layering of different colours together. It was interesting to see how depth and dimension can be created through colour and colour alone. 

(photo courtesy of Yale University Press: Josef Albers Interaction of Color ‘transparent and space illusion’ color study. )

Inspired by Albers’ idea of layering; I was curious to see how I can convey his colour theory through different colours and materials. The first experiment was using alcohol based markers on clear sheet and propping it on a sheet of paper. 

(image of conceptual model inspired by Josef Albers by Madeline Dumagan)

Albers uses a wide range of colours; however, in the main focus of this experiment were the colours present or seen on the transparent and space illusion example. I was intrigued by the way different spectrum of colour were created through the use of layering. 

(development gif by Madeline Dumagan)

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Models inspired by Josef Albers’ theory using layering different coloured materials 

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“Color is a power which directly influences the soul.” 

~Wassily Kandinsky

This week we were asked to create models based on our artist. My chosen artist model, Josef Albers explores different kinds of mediums and in his book Interation of Color, he touched on different colour theories that inform and influence his works. Some of his theories include subtraction of colour, simultaneous contrast, experimenting with transparency and space illusion. 

These models are my own interpretation of Albers’ colour concept about transparency. He “developed theories of how changes in placement, shape and light can produce changes in colour.” 

The materials used in these (two) models were purple cellophane, transparent sheet and yellow tape. However, while taking photos I decided to set it under coloured paper or foam so that the shadows and its reflection would present a different hue. Against the white, it gives out crisp purples but using a yellow or red undertone, we can see a slight change in the shadows; the red tones are more pronounced. 

I also tried changing the positioning of the model. As seen in the first image, it is a close up and out of focus shot of one of the models. This gives a whole other dimension to the model. We can see different tones of purple almost as if there’s layering happening but in fact, it’s just a single layer. 

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Colour Complex Quickfire Models

This week we were asked to create a series of quickfire models made within 3-5 minutes. 

For my conceptual models, I decided to start off with base colours; using two tones of blue, two tones of red and two tones of grey. Keeping Le Corbusier’s influence in mind, I decided to play around with  material choice, placement, layering, combinations and juxtaposition of different materials. A challenge that occurred while making these models was the constant rethinking and trying to quickly come up with something to make. I am guilty of overthinking preliminary models like these and end up spending more time on them than I need to. Originally, I wanted to focus on how colours would interact with each other if I were to just quickly place dollops in no particular order and spread it out. As seen below:

Overall, this exercise was helpful because it challenged my thinking and model making skills. Being able to generate different models within a short amount of time gave me a reason to explore various materials and colours which are something that I rarely do. 

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‘Natural Degradation’

This collage focuses on the texture that I noticed around the area. Each component of the collage is made using different materials and techniques. As someone who is not fond of using colour, I thought it would be a good idea to focus on more neutral, natural hues. It was also fascinating seeing and focusing on textures and colours in the environment. I wanted to focus on the colours observed through the natural disintegration of elements around the city like rusting of pipes and moss growth through the pavement.

The collage is made out of different combination of materials and techiques such as:

- to mimic the texture of pavement, I mixed patch filler and gouache together as it gives a matte finish once dry. 

- I painted sandpaper with gouache and used it to transfer the sandpaper texture onto another surface.

- the mustard yellow strip was made using a mixture of yellow, mustard, orange, black, peach and red tones.

- to mimic rust, I used sponge to dab gouache onto a cardboard surface. 

- to mimic different hues of moss and plants that I’ve seen around the area, I put big dollops of green acrylic and gouache paint onto paper and dragged it down using a scrap piece of card.