Color Codes: Modern Theories of Color in Philosophy, Painting and Architecture, Literature, Music, and Psychology

by Charles A. Riley II

Book Overview

"The first thing to realize about the study of color in our time is its uncanny ability to evade all attempts to systematically codify it," writes Charles A. Riley in this series of interconnected essays on the uses and meanings of color.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0874517427
• ISBN13: 9780874517422
• Release Date: February 1995
• Publisher: University Press of New England
• Length: 373 Pages
• Weight: 1.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.0" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

A Chromatic Feast

This excellently researched, enlightening book by Riley offers a useful overview of chromatic developments in a number of fields (the person who called this book "cream puffs" misses the point completely). The book offers numerous examples of innovations and commentary on various artists (pictorial and literary) and their colorific tendencies. Connections to theory--from Derrida to Barthes--accompany many of the book's observations. As there is little serious critical work on color, Riley's book offers a useful stepping stone to further research. I would strongly suggest this work to anyone interested in color theory and approach. Riley is a lucid, engaging writer who has made a major contribution to color theory.

An original, ambitious book about the idea of color

Color Codes by Charles A. Riley II is an extraordinary example of inter-disciplinary thought, examining the fascinating topic of color through short essays on Modern and contemporary artists, architects, poets, novelists, psychologists, philosophers, composers and musical performers. Much of the most lively material in the book comes from direct encounters with artists in their studios and interviews. A passionate, ambitious book on a wonderful subject. Claudine Napoli