Class Reflection October 9

This class continued Vaike Ruus’ lecture on colour. The focus of this second installment was primarily on the healing potential of colour.

Vaike began by informing us that John Oates felt that light was an essential nutrient to our bodies, like that of any other vitamin, water, or air. I feel that this perspective is an interesting and accurate way to look at light and colour, and it is one I had not considered before. Throughout the lecture Vaike stressed the importance of light and colour to our well-being, and she also outlined the healing power of the two.

During the lecture, Vaike made us aware of Edwin Babbit, also known as the “colour prophet”, who wrote The Principles of Light and Colour. Babbit was instrumental in the filed of colour therapy where he advocated using colour to heal. In his practice he took his direction from the ancients, who understood the importance of light and colour to health. Babbitt used various techniques, including coloured water, to heal his patients from illnesses like tuberculosis and pneumonia.

Colour puncture is another technique that Vaike mentioned, which is similar to acupuncture, but which uses colour to heal illnesses like depression and diabetes. Vaike also touched on the chakras developed in ancient India, which give cues about the energy of the body. I was interested to hear Vaike speak about Babbit and colour puncture which I was not aware of, and also to have her include the Chakras of which I have some knowledge.

During the later part of this lecture, Vaike included a presentation of her own work. For her design of a spa environment, she used colour and colour therapy to inform the space. Here Vaike allowed colour to determine the esthetic of the built environment. Her knowledge of colour theory and healing were the foundation for her design.

Lastly, for this class we were to complete a homework assignment about our own reaction to colours. I felt that this was an important exercise because gave me information about how colours affect my inner state. In the future, I would like to remain conscious of this exercise, and to build on it, using elements of colour theory to inform my own designs. -Katie