17 Thursday Apr 2014
Posted in Art Inspired Palette, Color Inspiration
01 Tuesday Oct 2013
Posted in Color Inspiration, Sound in Color
Tags
80s, 80s music, A Question of Time, album art, Black Celebration, building, collage, color, color palette, cover art, Dave Gahan, Depeche Mode, light, music, New Dress, palette, Question of Lust, shadow, Stripped
I have liked Depeche Mode for many years now. Although they formed a year after I was born I connected with their music and listened to it throughout my life. Vocalist, Dave Gahan, possesses such an interesting and unique voice that nobody can match and even though they are considered an electronic band, they incorporate so many other beautiful elements in their sound.
Their 1986 album, Black Celebration, was a slightly different tune than their previous music. With somewhat of a darker spin, this fifth album consisted of fantasy driven sounds with an edge that carries a bit of sadness we can all connect with. On the other hand, the somewhat gloomy lyrics are paired with bright pops of synth genius which really helps the songs to shine. I can remember listening to this album while I was a teenager. My favorite tracks are Black Celebration, Question of Lust, A Question of Time, Stripped, and New Dress. Today when I listen to it, boy does it take me back.
The album art is a good fit for the sound of this album. It’s dark and unusual with pops of color and of course has an 80s feel to it. The image of a city building is used as a backdrop to showcase part of their logo, upside down M, and projected tulips. I like how the whole piece has a collage styled look while also highlighting shadow and light in the imagery. All in all, a good representation of the music on the album.
{ This post is dedicated to my best friend Heather who is the biggest Depeche Mode fan I know. One can say she is a little obsessed ♥ }
20 Tuesday Aug 2013
Posted in Color Inspiration, Sound in Color
Tags
album art, ambient, Aphex Twin, brown, color, color palette, grunge, light, music, orange, palette, red, Selected Ambient Works Volume II, shadow, texture, tone, warm hues, yellow
Aphex Twin was a big part of my youth. As I got older his music played roles in special memories of mine, ones I would never forget. When certain sounds find their way into your life and act as a soundtrack, you know its good. This is just one of albums that I really connected with. Just the light, airy sounds and unique combination of ambient beats took me to another place. There surely is no other to compare to Aphex Twin.
The album artwork is grungy and distorted, with the color of rust the main character. The play with light really creates a beautiful array of tone and shadow, while it goes from cream to orange and then to brown. And with the texture these colors display behind it, you just wish you could feel its beauty.
This is a nice palette to take in consideration when using warm hues in your home or event. Orange has so many shades, from tangerine to the carrot color we all know, and you can find a lot of them here. The same with yellow and brown, which also incorporates the red family. A whole lot of warmth resonates from this album, both inside and out.
24 Wednesday Jul 2013
Posted in Color in Films, Color Inspiration
Tags
addiction, beach, brooklyn, Clint Mansell, color palette, Coney Island, dark, Darren Aronofsky, drugs, fall, films, Hubert Selby Jr, hues, light, love, nature, obsession, photography, pills, requiem for a dream, seasons, shock therapy, split screen, summer, time lapse, tones, winter
Requiem for a Dream is in my top 5 favorite films of all time. I know it may not be the happiest of films but the story really got to me. Not to mention, the genius filmaking from director Darren Aronofsky. Debuting in 2000, the film captures the true essence of addiction and how it can destroy your life. I must admit there are scenes that are hard to watch but the thrilling anxiety and sadness one feels from watching each character fall apart just makes you want to see what is next. Sad but true.
The film takes place in Coney Island and focuses on four characters, Sara and her son Harry, Harry’s girlfriend Marion, and their friend Tyrone. Each of them have a dream but their personal additions and obsessiveness gets in the way and takes them down the wrong path. From drugs and prostitution to weight loss and shock therapy, the story unfolds as each character falls deeper into the hole they created, taking you on a ride of misery and beauty all at once.
Written by Aronofsky and Hubert Selby Jr., and based off of Selby’s original book, this film will take you on a ride filled with emotion and discomfort. The cinematic artistry with its various split screens, in your face close ups, and time lapse photography, helps to bring the viewer in on a personal level. You feel like you know the characters and even though your heart goes out to them, your ability to empathize slowly fades. Eventually, everything falls apart in the end.
With an amazing and talented cast, Requiem will surely throw you for a loop. The soundtrack by Clint Mansell is beautiful and haunting, one the best I have heard. The color palette is a combination of natural hues taken from the three seasons shown in the film, summer, fall, and winter, while darker, more deep tones exhibit the intense scenes. Darkness and light come into play a great deal as shadows embark each character throughout the film. This is surely a piece of work that will stand the test of time.
