Whiteness

Whiteness:

 Bird speaks of how whiteness in art is a conscience choice by the artists for the purpose of communicating a philosophic or symbolic ideal. With Protestants, white church walls, void of decoration, reflected the focused attention to nothing more then to receive the word of God. With classical artists the expression of purity and lofty ideals were associated with the pale marble used in sculpture and the white columns in architecture. Finally with the minimalists white was linked to the idea that, “art should clear the clutter from our eyes so that we can see what’s really important…” (Bird, 2012, pg. 106)

I must admit, I have never used white in my art. I also rarely think of the symbolic meaning of color when making art. However I do like highly contrasted monochrome and saturated monochromatic art. I like the challenge of using color more purposefully and using white as either the void of, or the depth of an idea. I can see white as a mystical light or as a cold, barren space. 

http://www.jonathanalger.com/category/installationart/page/2/

http://www.nothingintosomething.com/blog/james-turrell-at-see-colour-sweden