Chips on a Sandwich | no. 32 | RED
When in doubt, wear red. - Bill Blass
WORLDLY RED: The color red has different traits depending where you are in the world: In China it symbolizes luck and happiness, it’s a prominent color at weddings in India and here in the West we associate it with love and romance. If you follow Feng Shui (the practice of using energy sources to create harmony between people and their surroundings) then you may have a red front door to ward off negative energy (now we know why Dorothy’s slippers wore ruby red). And it’s no coincidence that we roll out the red carpet for posh celebratory occasions– many people intuitively associate the color with wealth and status.
SEEING RED: The idiom was long thought to originate from the matador’s red cape in bullfighting. But it’s not the color that attracts the bull, it’s the movement (in fact, bulls can’t see the color red). More likely the saying comes from the rush of blood to the face some experience when angry.
Matador's Dilemma | Ivan Rodero
ROTHKO’S RED: Abstract painter Mark Rothko’s giant canvases were often a study in a particular color or blocks of color that were meant to elicit a reaction and appreciation (or repulsion) personal to the viewer. Rothko was known for his political liberalism and frugality so when in 1958 he accepted a very lucrative commission (35K) from the then new Four Seasons restaurant in NYC it stunned many. With the mindset that is was “criminal to spend more than $5 for a meal” Rothko set out to create multiple 600-square-foot dark maroon, blood red and black canvases that would put all the rich diners off their food. Alas, his diabolical plan never came to fruition– he returned the money and the canvases were sent to live elsewhere around the world. The six-time Tony award winning play Red staring Alfred Molina is based on this particular time in the artist’s life.
R is for RED: Sesame Street’s furry red monster Elmo is a delight to children (including my daughter) and nails-on-a-chalkboard to many adults (including me). There may be a calculated reason he’s red– bold primary colors often give preschoolers a sense of security. But his hue is just a coincidence, creators of the show needed to use a color that wasn’t already claimed– green (Oscar), yellow (Big Bird) and blue (Cookie Monster and Grover) were already in use.
