The color red is filled with meaning. It’s found in nature - in red roses and robins. It's spiritual - the symbol for luck and it's the first chakra in Sanskrit. It has history and special meaning in various cultures around the world. It’s political - as in the red states, and it's emotional, symbolic of both anger and love. The red or root chakra provides stability, groundedness and trust, red symbolizes power and strength, it encourages action and enthusiasm. In addition to the inferred meanings, the color red has a significant visual impact when used in art & design. Artist Anne Raymond, on red and her red paintings, “Red is strength, it’s the pigment of passion and confidence. Red is energy known, felt and intended.” Anne spoke with me about the appeal of her red canvases and how some naturally gravitate towards it and others may choose it in small doses.
For those who love it,
or with white, negative space and additional colors, for a quieter canvas, named for the red pigment, Cirrus Cadmium
Photographer Bonnie Edelman captures the natural beauty of red in a stunning sky
Abstract Expressionist Barnett Newman often used red and other strong flat primary colors in his noted Zip paintings, as in “Who’s Afraid of Red, Yellow and Blue”
I love the contrast of the flowing red scarf in William Wegman’s, “Red to Head”, one of his Weimeraner photographs
Red has found a place in many familiar idioms, Seeing Red, Red carpet treatment, Caught red-handed, Red flag, Red tape and In the red are just a few. It’s pretty interesting to focus on this and see how this color, and the word are in our everyday experience.
Red is in the name of many iconic brands: for a cause - Bono’s (Red), The American Red Cross, in sports - Boston Red Sox, to signify energy - Red Bull, for achievement - Red Ribbon.
for New Yorkers, the fun and much adored Milton Glaser designed symbol,
In fashion, like art, red is classically used to make a statement.
Charles Louboutin red soles are iconic. The NYTimes, recently refered to”The Little Red (Litigious) Shoes", The company is suing the YSL brand claiming that their red shoes infringe on the trademarked, “Red Sole Mark”.
Louboutin red, from classic
to outrageous
Designer Donna Karan is identified with clothing that empowers - red from her Spring 2012 advertising campaign
Double red, Reese WItherspoon on the red carpet in a striking red Zac Posen dress
The use of red in home and furniture design provides impact whether used in large amounts, or sparingly. Iconic modern furniture combines strong silhouette and color.
The Egg Chair, by Arne Jacobsen
The Miniature Verner Panton Heart Chair
Heller’s, Marilyn BOCCA sofa, 1972
A bold use of color in a room, walls painted with a saturated deep red, Benjamin Moore’s, Million Dollar Red and red upholstered furniture in a classic room, by designer, Bibi Monnahan
or red as a dramatic and effective accessory, chairs and wall decor in a fresh Hamptons home by Ilene O’Neil
Why RED? because it’s February and the color is synonymous with Valentine’s Day - red roses and the celebration of love.
Exhibiting in Times Square for the holiday, a 10 foot tall installation with 400 LED acrylic tubes around a big red heart.
“the interactive art piece pulses with a glowing red luminosity whereby, people's interaction with one another intensify the beating of the brightly, burning heart”
and classic RED - 75 gorgeous red roses
