Colour permeates contemporary visual and material culture and affects our senses beyond the superficial encounter by infiltrating our perceptions and memories and becoming deeply rooted in thought processes that categorise and divide along culturally constructed lines. Colour exists as a cultural as well as psycho-physical phenomenon and acquires a multitude of meanings within differing historical and cultural contexts. The contributors examine how colour becomes imbued with specific symbolic and material meanings that tint our constructions of race, gender, ideal bodies, the relationship of the self to others and of the self to technology and the built environment. By highlighting the relationship of colour across media and material culture, this volume reveals the complex interplay of cultural connotations, discursive practices and socio-psychological dynamics of colour in an international context.

An encyclopaedic work on color in Western art and culture from the Middle Ages to Post-Modernism.

"John Gage's Color and Meaning is full of ideas. . .He is one of the best writers on art now alive."--A. S. Byatt, Booker Prize winner

The study of material culture is concerned with the relationship between persons and things in the past and in the present, in urban and industrialized and in small-scale societies across the globe. The Handbook of Material Culture provides a critical survey of the theories, concepts, intellectual debates, substantive domains and traditions of study characterizing the analysis of things. It is cutting-edge: rather than simply reviewing the field as it currently exists. It also attempts to chart the future: the manner in which material culture studies may be extended and developed. The Handbook of Material Culture is divided into five sections. • Section I maps material culture studies as a theoretical and conceptual field. • Section II examines the relationship between material forms, the human body and the senses. • Section III focuses on subject-object relations. • Section IV considers things in terms of processes and transformations in terms of production, exchange and consumption, performance and the significance of things over the long-term. • Section V considers the contemporary politics and poetics of displaying, representing and conserving material and the manner in which this impacts on notions of heritage, tradition and identity. The Handbook charts an interdisciplinary field of studies that makes an unique and fundamental contribution to an understanding of what it means to be human. It will be of interest to all who work in the social and historical sciences, from anthropologists and archaeologists to human geographers to scholars working in heritage, design and cultural studies.

"Indian Art and Culture: Colour Mind Map for Civil Service and One Day Exams" is an indispensable guide meticulously crafted for aspirants preparing for Civil Service and One Day Examinations. This comprehensive book offers a unique and visually stimulating approach to comprehending the diverse facets of Indian art, culture, and heritage. Presented in a vibrant and structured format, this resource employs color-coded mind maps to encapsulate the essence of Indian art and culture. Each mind map serves as a visual roadmap, elucidating various art forms, historical periods, architectural styles, traditional practices, classical dances, music, literature, and more. The mind maps in this book provide a cohesive and structured overview of India's rich cultural heritage, spanning different dynasties, regions, and artistic traditions. These visual representations facilitate a comprehensive understanding of the intricate details and interrelationships within India's artistic and cultural landscape. Designed to aid quick comprehension and retention, the strategic organization of information in color-coded mind maps assists aspirants in effectively revising and recalling essential aspects of Indian art and culture. This resource is tailored to streamline the learning process, enabling candidates to navigate through the vast and diverse realm of Indian heritage with ease. "Indian Art and Culture: Colour Mind Map for Civil Service and One Day Exams" stands as an invaluable companion, empowering aspirants to grasp and retain intricate details of Indian art and culture effectively. It serves as an essential tool for those aspiring to excel in competitive examinations by offering a holistic understanding of India's rich cultural heritage.