Panel text reads:
Figure-Background Relationship Indian art of the Mimbres tribe, 12th century in Southern Mexico. They developed a style of figure background relationship mainly in black + white. The background and figure were treated equally–Nothing on top of each other–each equal. This is the highest social philosophy in form-serving and yet served-opposition against symmetry. The Greeks for example did: While the Indians did: they avoided the monarchist principle and had 2–a more democratic way. There is no centre–just go on and on–a very high culture and philosophy. Wonderful fish Left over [sic] forms are all clean forms. If you follow modern photography–it is already in the feeling. In China there is not that feeling but always in India. All the English books in Caslon Print feel it Caslou Bodoni with more irregular elements Serif à la Bauhaus–simpler letter easier to read. Checkerboard and music paper both have a figure-background relationship. Make a rectangle and put a figure in it so that there is a balance of figure + background and you don’t know which is on top. –2 white corners + 2 black –blue has a larger extensions + white a []--not such good figure-background relationship as the checkerboard Nazi sign this one has no rest–no pause–no horizontal-vertical relationship. Dizzy. Only movement—and exists only while in action–people must mark-wear day + every day. Figure as such has no color. Indian sign of good luck More stable Aug 27/45 Design *Mr. Albers’ Credo. Every perceivable thing has form. Form can be either appearance of behaviour. But since appearance is a result of behaviour And behaviour produces appearance– Every form has meaning. The shortest formulation of this is: Everything has form. Every form has meaning. To understand the meaning of form, That is both conscious seeing of and feeling for form, Is the indispensable preliminary condition for culture Type this into your notebook. Culture is the ability to select or distinguish the better, that is, the more meaningful form–the better appearance, the better behaviour. Therefore culture is a concern with quality. Culture can be manifested in two ways: through recognition of better form and through producing better form. The latter direction is the way of art. Art, as the acting part of culture, is its proof and measurement. *Thinking in situations! Make a hexagon by joining the middles of sides. 6 equal sides. Aug 1/45 Color–Albers. Next week everyone must bring everything they have to date for individual exhibitions. With color we are always guessing Color depends on 1) color 2) form 3) placing 4) [] 5) light } all visual experiences Psychologists have also told us that between senses of eye and ear there is no connection–there is gap [sic]. When food is made up diff. On the table there is diff taste: connection between tongue + eye. Certain scientists though have discovered connections between eye + ear. Screen onto color–tone played by instrument–went higher + higher while color remained same yet audience say lighter color. Similarly darker. Color [] in light tone remains same people think that tone is changing–but this case is only evident to very sensitive people. We have no proof that two people see color on same level–but until 2 eyes see differently–left eye cooler–right warmer–differentiations [] with one individual. COLOR IS THE MOST RELATIVE MED’M IN ART. *Light intensity– so diff to tell difference between light + dark Put doubtful cases into your notebook so as to train your eye. Take them from friends as well. Complementaries very hard to compare. Where gradations [] the way across then get darker at top of strip and lighter at bottom. Transparencies–only [] + [] add–coffee in glass looks one cooler and is white [] another color.
Figure-Background Relationship Indian art of the Mimbres tribe, 12th century in Southern Mexico. They developed a style of figure background relationship mainly in black + white. The background and figure were treated equally–Nothing on top of each other–each equal. This is the highest social philosophy in form-serving and yet served-opposition against symmetry. The Greeks for example did: While the Indians did: they avoided the monarchist principle and had 2–a more democratic way. There is no centre–just go on and on–a very high culture and philosophy. Wonderful fish Left over [sic] forms are all clean forms. If you follow modern photography–it is already in the feeling. In China there is not that feeling but always in India. All the English books in Caslon Print feel it Caslou Bodoni with more irregular elements Serif à la Bauhaus–simpler letter easier to read. Checkerboard and music paper both have a figure-background relationship. Make a rectangle and put a figure in it so that there is a balance of figure + background and you don’t know which is on top. –2 white corners + 2 black –blue has a larger extensions + white a []--not such good figure-background relationship as the checkerboard Nazi sign this one has no rest–no pause–no horizontal-vertical relationship. Dizzy. Only movement—and exists only while in action–people must mark-wear day + every day. Figure as such has no color. Indian sign of good luck More stable Aug 27/45 Design *Mr. Albers’ Credo. Every perceivable thing has form. Form can be either appearance of behaviour. But since appearance is a result of behaviour And behaviour produces appearance– Every form has meaning. The shortest formulation of this is: Everything has form. Every form has meaning. To understand the meaning of form, That is both conscious seeing of and feeling for form, Is the indispensable preliminary condition for culture Type this into your notebook. Culture is the ability to select or distinguish the better, that is, the more meaningful form–the better appearance, the better behaviour. Therefore culture is a concern with quality. Culture can be manifested in two ways: through recognition of better form and through producing better form. The latter direction is the way of art. Art, as the acting part of culture, is its proof and measurement. *Thinking in situations! Make a hexagon by joining the middles of sides. 6 equal sides. Aug 1/45 Color–Albers. Next week everyone must bring everything they have to date for individual exhibitions. With color we are always guessing Color depends on 1) color 2) form 3) placing 4) [] 5) light } all visual experiences Psychologists have also told us that between senses of eye and ear there is no connection–there is gap [sic]. When food is made up diff. On the table there is diff taste: connection between tongue + eye. Certain scientists though have discovered connections between eye + ear. Screen onto color–tone played by instrument–went higher + higher while color remained same yet audience say lighter color. Similarly darker. Color [] in light tone remains same people think that tone is changing–but this case is only evident to very sensitive people. We have no proof that two people see color on same level–but until 2 eyes see differently–left eye cooler–right warmer–differentiations [] with one individual. COLOR IS THE MOST RELATIVE MED’M IN ART. *Light intensity– so diff to tell difference between light + dark Put doubtful cases into your notebook so as to train your eye. Take them from friends as well. Complementaries very hard to compare. Where gradations [] the way across then get darker at top of strip and lighter at bottom. Transparencies–only [] + [] add–coffee in glass looks one cooler and is white [] another color.
Artwork: 1995.59.1-.2
Design and Color Notes from Josef Albers' Class, Summer 1945
1995
Printed paper on foam board
This work was created for the 1995 exhibition Remembering Black Mountain College curated by Mary Emma Harris in conjunction with Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center and the BMC alumni reunion organized by Mary Holden Thompson, founding director of BMCM+AC.
24 x 18 inches
In copyright
Gift of Margaret Williamson Peterson
Margaret Williamson Peterson, Design and Color Notes from Josef Albers' Class, Summer 1945, 1995. Printed paper on foam board. Collection of Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center. Gift of the artist.
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