Salud, Kids!
Think back. Come ON, you can do it.
A few blogs ago I ranted on about that ridiculous lawsuit Louboutin filed to own the color red for the soles on those sky high designer heels. Oh, Lou-Bou lost, and now I am wondering if the face is as red as the bottom of those platforms.
No matter, the idea of owning color got our dear friend and contributor, British Brian on his own little rant and don't we love it?
Yep, we do. I especially love spelling the word coloUr like BB!
Read on before you get your weekend kicked into gear.
One more thing.
BB sent scads of cool artwork (photos) to illustrate his points, but the lamenss that defines this blog means they aren't included (at least I am honest about how I couldn't manipulate them from his document).
Contributed by Brian Wilson
United Kingdom
All rights reserved and copyrighted.
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What is red?
Let's get over the color or colour discussion – I’ll say colour – you’ll say color.
A physicist would say that red is the longest wavelength commonly visible to the human eye.
As a textile technologist I knew said that red was a …..(put any expletive here) to dye. (INDISCREETLY US NOTE: Bitch works).
• Red dyes are hard to “fix” on a fabric - all too often the colour runs.
• Do not put light shades next to red.
• I know of a school that chose red blazers with white piping – in a very short time the red piping looked pink – ok for girls, but for us chaps!!!!
Which “Red” do we see?
• Your blog went into detail as to the choice of colour for a fashion house – how they can try to patent a prime colour defies logic.
• They could try to define a shade (colourists use what is called the Pantone range – that defines a specific shade and dye technologists use this to blend dyes together to get a specific shade.
A Pantone Red
• But it all depends on how our eyes “see” things – we “see” things differently when we are tired, in low lighting – and what about those people whose eyes lack a few cones (the bits that register colour)?
• To make matters worse – even if you define a specific shade it’s could will vary with the surface (a woven fabric looks a different shade to that on a flat surface).
• Let’s not forget light (using a standard fluorescent tube gives a different shade to that seen in sunlight)
• If you do not believe me; look at the differences in colour shade when in a shop and then take it outside to be viewed in sunlight – but do not get arrested!
Whichever red you use – it means different things.
Sin, guilt, pain, passion, blood, and anger.
In our western society Red is used as a symbol of guilt, sin, passion and anger, often as connected with blood or sex.
• “Seeing red’ means being very angry.
• “Red flags” mean danger.
• “Red” is linked to communist or left wing politics.
• But hang on – is not red associated with the Republican Party (right-wing) and blue with the Democrats – a reverse of the traditional European scheme? (Can anyone tell me why?) (INDISCREETLY US NOTE: No, we can not...neither can our political types).
“What me eat all the chocolate?”
• "caught red-handed", means either caught in an act of crime or caught with the blood of murder still on one's hands.
• For years “red” has been associated with prostitution (“red light areas).
• Satan is usually coloured red. (INDISCREETLY US NOTE: I know a few satan-types who wear regular street clothes...just sayin')
• Believe it or not; statistics show us that red cars are more likely to be involved in accidents (but bear in mind that many fast cars are coloured red (anyone got a Ferrari?) (INDISCREETLY US NOTE: Why, no we do not have a Ferrari, but plenty of others in the Palm Beaches DO. Damn them!).
My new Car – in my dreams (INDISCREETLY US NOTE: Right there with ya!)
• Now let’s turn to sex – research indicates that men find women, wearing red, more attractive – believe it or not!
• Red is a symbol of courage and sacrifice look at the novel “The Red Badge of courage” about the US Civil War.
• In Christianity Red or purple is the colour of martyr.
• "Red-blooded" refers to someone who is audacious, robust, or virile.
Red is a common Warning Sign.
The world sees “RED” in many different ways.
In China and in many countries of the “Far East” red is associated with weddings (where brides traditionally wear red dresses) and red paper is also frequently used to wrap gifts of money or other things.
If you know members of the Chinese Community you will know that money is often wrapped up in red paper at the Chinese New Year.
But take care – in China obituaries are often written in red (not in black as in our society).
In Japan; Red is a heroic colour.
On the Indian sub-continent red is the colour of wealth, beauty.
In Central Africa, sick people are also painted with red clay (as it symbolises heath).
In many parts of Africa red is a colour of mourning, representing death.
For this reason, the “Red Cross” has changed it’s colours in many areas of Africa.
But to us Brits Red means – London Buses and Telephone boxes.
The royal air force acrobatic team – the “Red Arrows.”
Guardsman ceremonial uniforms (sorry to you “colonists” – the “Red coats.”
From one country to another, who are proud of “The Red White and Blue” – all the best to one and all – our love to you all.
Brian and Mo
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