Peek Into The World Of Pop Art! For November 2017

Colour Stories

We are sure you have heard the term ‘Pop Art.’ Learn all about how it originated and find out about this fascinating movement…

The term 'pop art' was invented by British curator, Lawrence Alloway, in 1955 to describe a new form of 'popular' art. It was a movement characterized by the imagery of consumerism and popular culture. It emerged in both New York and London during the mid-1950s and became the dominant avant-garde style until the late 1960s.

It was a descendant of Dada, a nihilistic movement in the 1920s that ridiculed the seriousness of contemporary Parisian art, the political and cultural situation that had brought war to Europe. Marcel Duchamp, the champion of Dada in the United States was the most influential figure in the evolution of this art.

Pop art is characterised by bold and vibrant block colours with everyday imagery. The pop iconography drew inspiration from ads, consumer product packaging, photos of film stars, pop stars, comic strips and road signs.

Works of Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, Claes Oldenburg, Tom Wesselman, James Rosenquist, Robert Indiana, David Hockney and Peter Blake had a powerful impact and rejected both the supremacy of the 'high art' of the past and the pretensions of contemporary avant-garde art. It initially faced criticism and was called vulgar, non-aesthetic and sensational. To its proponents, who were a minority in the art world, it was something that brought together both the connoisseurs and untrained viewers.Though pop art was not taken seriously by the public, it found critical acceptance as a form of art for the highly technological, mass-media oriented society of Western countries.

Some of the more striking forms that pop art took were Andy Warhol's meticulously literal paintings and silk-screen prints of soap cartons, soup-can labels and rows of soft-drink bottles; Roy Lichtenstein's stylized reproductions of comic strips that used the colour dots and flat tones of commercial printing; Claes Oldenburg's soft plastic sculptures of objects like typewriters, bathroom fixtures and gigantic hamburgers; George Segal's constructed tableaux that featured life-sized plaster-cast figures placed in actual environments retrieved from junkyards, just to name a few.

Today, pop art is accepted worldwide and has even crept into the home décor industry with bright gestures, striking markings and bold colours. It's an exciting style of home décor that begs to be noticed. If you are looking for décor elements that look both funky and unique, pop art is a great idea!

Colour Trivia

Colour Facts For November 2017

1. Did you know that the colour orange is named after the appearance of the ripe orange fruit? Before this word was introduced to the English-speaking world, the colour orange was referred to as 'Geoluhread' meaning yellowish red. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, it was not until 1512 that the word orange was used by someone in his will to describe that ruddy shade between red and yellow. He supposedly spelled it 'orenge.'
2. You may have seen a lot of information crammed onto food packaging these days such as nutritional data and ingredients. Here's a fun fact about the colour dots on aluminium soda cans. These mysterious, multi-coloured rows of circles or squares serve an important purpose for the printers. The colour dots found on aluminium soda cans close to the nutrition information consist of all of the colours used in the can design. If a can makes it through production and its red dot, for instance, is faded or absent, then the factory will be able to trace the problem to the single machine applying the specific colour, in this case the red colour, without shutting down all of the machines!
3. Were you aware that horses have the largest eyes of any land mammal? They have excellent day and night vision, but they have two-colour, or dichromatic vision. Their colour vision is somewhat similar to red-green colour blindness in humans, where some colours, especially red and related colours, appear as shades of green. Fascinating, isn't it?

Colour Quotes For November 2017

• Life is a great big canvas; throw all the paint you can at it.

  - Danny Kaye

• Sunset is still my favourite colour, and rainbow is second.

  - Mattie Stepanek

• Colour is only beautiful when it means something.

  - Robert Henri

Colour Tips For November 2017

1. Did you know the 'same' colour of paint can sometimes vary between cans? The difference can be obvious if you pop open a new gallon halfway through a wall. To make sure that the colour consistency remains the same from start to finish, you need to make sure that the cans of paint are mixed well in a 5 gallon bucket. This process is called 'boxing'. Once everything is stirred well, the paint can be poured back into the original containers and used.
2. Colour blocking and vertical stripes are the oldest tricks when it comes to streamlining silhouettes. You can try something unique for your walls such as horizontal stripes. Pick one or two walls to stripe to create an optical illusion, making them look elongated. In addition to that, contrasting colours will create the illusion of depth. Just remember to measure and tape carefully.
3. It is necessary that you paint a white background on your painted or raw plaster wall when painting colour samples to figure out the true colour. It is highly recommended that a primer or an undercoat be used depending on whether it is a new or painted wall. Make sure to allow the colour to settle for at least 2 to 3 days and see the colours at different times during the day.

World Of Colours

Colours & Emotion For November 2017

1. In theatre and film, colours set the tone and mood even before the artistes perform. The colours used can have different meanings and intent on-screen. On one side of the spectrum, red is used as a way to show anger, violence and aggression. For instance, the abrupt moment in the movie, 'Ex Machina' when the plot takes a sinister turn is accompanied with a red glow. This works as a cue to the audience to pay attention because something crucial is about to happen. Yellow is used in the movie 'Kill Bill' to depict Uma Thurman's instability and madness. Romantic comedies make good use of pastels like lilac, pink and beige, to name a few.
2. Movies stir up emotions in ways you may not imagine. Whether it is a certain aesthetic choice made when colouring or filtering during the edit process, or the wardrobe and objects with which the frame is filled, colour can manipulate the emotions of an audience on many different conscience and subconscious levels. Wes Anderson's compelling use of colour is definitely worth exploring. Red, light pink, violet and magenta can be associated with love, passion and romance. Though they can carry other meanings and associations, the general understanding and consensus recognizes these as colours related to love.

Colours & Fashion For November 2017

We are sure you must have seen the lopsided teardrop or stylized tadpole known as the 'paisley' design. Have you ever wondered where it came from? Traditionally, the paisley shape is supposed to be a pine cone and the East India Company began bringing paisley shawls from India to Britain in the 18th century. Soon the exotic garment became hugely popular. One of the largest producers of the material was the town of Paisley in Scotland, which was popular for its textile mills. Eventually, the fabric took on the name of the town that produced it in abundance.

Colours & Gems For November 2017

1. The Red Jasper is a red stone found in several locations, including Russia, Brazil, Germany, France, India, and the USA. It is grainy microcrystalline quartz and comes in a range of red shades. The stone is believed to give deep insight into personal difficulties and offer a strong sense of stability. The vibration of this stone is also believed to give immense strength and energy, allowing you to get centered and balanced. It also helps in tackling old fears and helps release them. According to a Dutch belief, Red Jasper can control one's blood flow.
2. Ametrine is a rare and unusual stone which occurs in quartz when amethyst and citrine reside in the same crystal. It is also known as Amethyst-citrine or Trystine or Bolivianite. For healing purposes, it offers the benefits of Amethyst, the benefits of Citrine, and the effects that result from the harmonious and wonderful blending of the two. Ametrine is believed to be helpful in getting rid of depression. This leads to inner peace and tranquility. It helps overcome prejudice by enhancing compatibility and acceptance of others.

Colours & Nature For November 2017

1. Fairy basslet is a small, vibrantly coloured fish. Its body is split into two colours with a black spot on its dorsal fins. It has purple fronts and a yellow tail. Mostly found under ledges or in caves, it lives in coral reefs. It is known to swim upside-down under ledges and along cave ceilings. It lives in colonies and defends its territory from other species and even other fairy basslets. Male fairy basslets guard and take care of the eggs and the nest. Fairy basslet is also kept in aquariums and is also popularly known as Royal Gamma.
2. The Indian Pitta is a small stubby-tailed bird that is most often seen on the floor of forests or under dense undergrowth, hunting on insects, insect larvae, slugs, ants, termites, snails, millipedes, and earthworms. It lives in the north of India but flies down south to escape the harsh winters up north. It has a buff-coloured crown stripe, black coronal stripes, a thick black eye stripe, and a white throat and neck. It has strong legs with a very short tail and a stout bill. The upper parts are green with a blue tail, the under parts feature bright red on the lower belly and vent.

Decor

How to Use Joint Compound to Texture Walls

You can add visual interest to your living space using textured walls. Learn all about joint compound and how to use it to add some texture on your wall…

Joint compound is a versatile substance that is easy to work with. It is also known as drywall mud and is a virtually fail-safe method to hide imperfections existing on walls. It is not just a home improvement task but an art form.

What makes it popular is that if you apply too much of it or position it incorrectly, you can simply wipe it off and begin again, making it one of the most forgiving substances to work with.

Before you take the plunge and start working with joint compound, make sure you clean and totally dry off the walls. Water down the compound to your wall with a wide compound knife and dab a sponge onto the compound. It should have the consistency of pancake batter. Press the sponge against the wall repeatedly to create the desired texture. Dab on additional compound if needed and allow the paint to dry.

You can try a different method to use joint compound to texture walls by using a notched trowel. Make a line pattern across the breadth of the wall surface using this tool. Work in one direction first, and then go in the perpendicular direction, spreading the mud in such a way that it forms a crosshatched pattern. This pattern resembles woven fabrics when seen closely.

The other tools that may be used to apply joint compound include old rags, tissue paper and specially designed deep-nap rollers. Apart from this, you can also try texturing walls by rolling on the compound using a standard paint roller. No matter what, let the compound dry thoroughly before you proceed to paint. Drying may require as long as a whole day, depending on the local humidity. If you wish to speed up the entire process, you can aim a fan towards the wall surface.

We hope you now learnt the tricks of putting textures on your wall with the finish of your choice using joint compound.

Colours & Ancient Sciences

Feng Shui For November 2017

Are you looking for ways to increase fortune, abundance and prosperity in your lives? We thing the Feng Shui wealth approach using gold ingots could do the trick! Read on to know how…

Bring Wealth Into Your Home With Gold Ingots!

Gold Ingots are called 'Yuan Bao' in Chinese. They are an ancient Chinese gold medium for exchanging expensive goods and are similar to gold bars. They were originated by the Emperors in order to have a currency suitable for their transactions. They are believed to emit wealth chi and trigger happiness. They are boat-shaped and symbolize the transportation of richness from one point or person to another.

In the ancient times, they were owned by only high-ranking officials, tycoons and Emperors. These days, Feng Shui practitioners use it to maintain balance and harmony in a given surrounding.

According to Feng Shui, there are proper ways for you to place these lucky objects to achieve the desired results:

• It is recommended that you display the gold ingots in living rooms, offices or business premises in the wealth sector (south-east) to enhance or activate wealth luck. Some people even place them in the wealth corner of each room within their house for quick results.
• It is best to display them at the entrance so that they can be seen easily when you enter the room. When placing them at the main entrance, ensure that guests can view them when they enter the home. This will allow good chi flow through main entry points in the premises.
• You can also display them in the north-west sector of your home to activate the luck element of financial support.
• If you have a shop or a store, display your gold ingots at the front counter or cash register to attract the attention of customers and increase your income opportunities.
• When looking for these gold ingots, remember that the bigger the gold ingots, the better they are for you. Make sure that you have them in even numbers and look for ones that are carved with the Chinese character 'fuk' meaning fortune so as to double its impact.
• Avoid placing these gold ingots on the floor, kitchen and in toilets. You should not place them in fire element areas as they may actually end up causing you more problems rather than being of help.
• We hope you found this informative! Go ahead and welcome fortune into your life with these helpful tips!

Reiki For November 2017

If you are suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or know someone who is, we know how difficult it is to feel positive and get over the traumatic experience. Don’t worry; with a little faith in Reiki, things can get better again. Read on to know more…

Experience The Magic Of Reiki On PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious condition that thousands of people suffer from all over the world. It is caused due to a wide variety of sources and the trauma can stem from several different events in an individual's life. The most severe triggers are natural disasters, sudden illnesses, death of loved ones and domestic violence, which can cause deep wounds and leave behind ugly mental scars.

The person going through the trauma is stuck in a cycle of stress responses known as 'fight or flight' responses. The initial shock and trauma of the original event keeps getting replayed in the mind, training the body to panic over and over again, long after the real threat is gone. PTSD results in an injury of the soul and the spirit of the sufferer. This can have a long term impact on the body and mind of the individual.

Without proper and timely treatment, the anxiety disorder can manifest itself in prolonged bouts of depression, anger management issues, sleeplessness and an inability to focus. These emotional and physical symptoms can interfere greatly in a one's daily life, resulting in the loss of support from friends and family and sometimes even the loss of one's career.

Reiki is believed to calm and restore the spirit, often times bringing healing to old, buried wounds of the PTSD victim. It has proven to be an effective tool in healing PTSD because it is safe, gentle, and non-invasive. Regular sessions of Reiki can work wonders and help the body get 'un-stuck'. Individuals suffering from PTSD can move forward on a path of natural healing with its help.

If you are wondering how to help individuals suffering from PTSD reap the benefits of Reiki, giving them traditional Reiki treatment from a certified professional can be beneficial. It can bring about overall physical healing, improving the mood and outlook of the sufferer. Patients who have undergone Reiki therapy have benefitted greatly from it and they have positively reported reduced addictions, improved sleep quality, pain relief and increased energy. If you feel unsure about going to a professional, it's simple and easy to begin on your own – you can also read more about the basics of Reiki here and how to begin your own Reiki sessions.

Vaastu For November 2017

Lush green surroundings help in relaxing and restoring the inner peace of an individual. Read on to know how to enhance the energy of your garden with some Vaastu tips…

Vaastu For Your Garden!

A house with flowering plants not only helps enhance the aesthetic beauty of the place but also infuses freshness and adds positive vibrations if it complies with the rules of Vaastu. If you are planning to make a garden, make sure you keep flowering plants in it.

The garden needs to be constructed in the North-east side of the house. Avoid keeping flowers on the wall of the building in the north, east or north-east as it will result in the blockage of light and air from these directions. Any water source, like a tap in the garden should be constructed in the north-east direction. The centre of the garden should neither be raised nor should have a depression.

It is recommended that you plant medicinal small trees in the north-east side. The trees which have big leaves should be planted in the south-west side and a fruit-bearing plant should be planted in the middle of the two. A water fountain should be constructed in the east or north. Swings should be placed in the east or north.

Thorny bushes in the garden should be avoided and you should make sure to keep the garden free from dry creepers, leaves and weeds, making it an ideal place to relax and let go. Ensure that cactus is never planted in the garden as plants with thorns emit negative energy. It is recommended that you place an idol or an artistic creation such as rock landscaping to make the garden visually pleasing. If you wish to have a swimming pool, it must face the north or north-east.

Fruitful trees should be planted in the east direction. Remember never to plant banana, Ashoka, papaya, jamun, mango and pineapple trees in the north or east direction. Place benches in open spaces in the east or north direction so that people face either east or west. The pathways of the garden should be curved and not straight.

We hope you found this article useful. Use these Vaastu tips when designing the garden for your home and welcome positivity into your life.