"Investigating the Big Blue": cyanotype workshop in two parts, Amorgos, Cyclades, Greece by Hannah L. M. Eßler

A 2-part module by the MA Transdisciplinary Studies of ZHdK, Department Kulturanalysen und Vermittlung. Held by Anna Rubi & Eirini Sourgiadaki. Autumn 2023-Spring 2024 Colour perception varies, so do the semantics of colour terminology, for both sighted and blind individuals. The questions around colour perception from ophthalmology or neurobiology perspectives to cognitive and artistic ones, are infinite: Is there a universal human experience of the blue sky, the green grass and the brown soil? How is colour perceived in the brain, how is it translated into a communicable concept and how does it affect our perceived world, our mental and physical state? What is the role of colour in synesthesia? And most importantly, does colour have to do just with vision? In this module we work with the generation of blue colour on print, using the major light source available, the Sun. The Island of Amorgos is often referred to as “Le grand bleu” after the famous french film was shot at location. Its ancient name is “Melania”. “Melani”, the Greek word for ink, (“Melano” for dark blue, cyan) as it is said that in ancient times the place was covered with dark green flora. Our investigation begins exactly with this deep tint. We pay a visit to the famous monastery and the water oracle, walk the trails to observe the sensual -not only vision-based- shades of blue. In the spring term, we participate in local activities such as beach clean-up initiatives of the remote bays by local fishermen and their boats. We visit bee-hives and herb-distilleries, we work with the most basic bits and pieces of the island to capture its essence.

Soraya-Thashima Rutschmann

Imprinting the sky on sheets of paper

reflecting the blue of sunlight on this skin of wooden grains

in between the blue of the sky

and its reflection on the surface

of the ocean

i stand and watch the waves

i stand and watch the water

i sit and hear the donkeys

i sit in the dirt of the backyard

i sit and see

i sit and feel

i sit and hear

i sit and smell

i sit and taste

i sit and i ground myself

i sit and observe

i sit and i investigate

the big blue

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