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Felix Penzarella
Prof. Kimberly R
9/23/08
Visual Literacy
Blue
The exhibit “Blue” was very appealing for various reasons. While it gave an informed history of the color indigo and the plant it is derived from, this was not the main attraction. Instead, the wide range of industries and mediums that make effective use of the blue tone is what was truly amazing.
The first and arguably most recognized use of indigo (as displayed at the exhibit) was blue jeans. While this seems obvious and mundane, it played a key roll in the exhibit as a contrast for the other more exotic uses. The use of blue in our clothing is the most modern culturally rooted example of blue and thus served as an anchor for the color when viewed in more exotic mediums later on in the museum.
While the jeans seemingly lack artistic value or merit, other examples of indigo certainly do not. The primal yet intricate pre-Columbian native weavings, which depict animals, are amazing in their detail. This is particularly impressive considering the tools they used to create the weavings were primitive at best.
The native weavings and primitive artwork stands in stark contrast with some of the larger more exciting pieces in the exhibit. The work of Japanese artist, Hiroyuki Shindo was particularly impressive. His massive installation pieces used symmetry, balance, various lines, and even interesting contrasts to convey the mood that his pieces intended.
The color blue inherently invokes a calm, collected, and cool feeling. The Japanese artist built upon this trait to construct his massive instillation piece. Hanging cloth is always moving slightly due to air movement, while large balls of blue twine lay seemingly askew on the ground. This contrast is between the solid spheres and the fluid drapes and it creates a sense of tranquility, calm, and balance.
Other pieces in the exhibit included a large box constructed with cloth that was intended as a tea drinking room, a wall hanging with intricate and elaborate designs, and a set with a chair contrasted against a fluid blue cloth backdrop. While all these pieces made effective use of the color blue and its inherent calm provoking tones, none compared to the deep psychedelic effect that Hiroyuki Shindo’s piece evoked.
Overall the exhibit was very interesting. While I have always been aware that blue evokes a feeling of calm. The exhibit made that feeling more real than ever before. From the flower to the tapestry “Blue” showed blue in a light I have never before seen. The exhibit granted me a new appreciation for the color, which I can only hope to emulate in my own art.

A photograph that I took at the exhibit of Hiroyuki Shindo’s piece is above.