Judd’s red book, Writings, is a table regular. Taking breaks by flipping thru books from the shelf is my way of avoiding news of non-art-world. One turned down page held a big question mark bookmark. It was from Judd’s 1963 reflection about Josef Albers’ book. About how expensive it was. How beautifully made, along with it owing much to Chevreul who had made so much influence on Impressionist painters.
some passages: Albers: “We study this first, not as a surprising or entertaining illusion but to make eyes and mind aware of the wonders of color interaction; second, to learn to utilize color deception in creative color performance.’ “The book Interaction of Color is a record of an experimental way of studying color and of teaching color.”
Judd observes instance of Albers’s teaching: Albers wants to emphasize that “color [is] the most relative medium
in art.” A color can be made to look different. The class is shown examples of this.““Then the class is invited to produce similar effects but is not given reasons or favorable conditions. It starts, therefore, on a trial-and-error basis.”
.. and: “The information taught to art students is even more relative than color. It is highly circumstantial and transitory. But at any one time, specific knowledge of some kind is necessary. Usually, though, it is being formed at the same time that it is necessary. Techniques and information are vital if there is an artistic use for them and completely useless if there isn’t.
finally, my margin-marked item : … Albers’ particular view of color is indicated by a qualification to a harsh study in black and yellow: “Despite its lack of an harmonious or pleasant appeal…” He goes on to say it is useful anyway. [Judd’s writing ] AND my takeaway lesson.
| Aspect | Michel Eugène Chevreul | Josef Albers |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | Color contrast and its laws | Relativity of color perception |
| Theoretical | Methodology analysis of color interactions | Experimental and pedagogical approach |
| Key Work: | The Principles of Harmony and Contrast of Colours | Interaction of Color |
| Impact on Art | Laid foundational principles for color theory | Expanded understanding of color use in art |
Expending time with my shelf is what I do instead of asking the passing webstream. I had to review Chevreul. Very glad I did. Not because it will help my art, instead because it raises questions about how much some people contribute to general knowledge as they pursued their curiosity of “sense” world.
from wikip “Chevreul became the first scientist to define the concept of a chemical compound and the first to formally characterize the nature of organic compounds; he is consequently considered a founder of modern organic chemistry … and … Chevreul’s study of textile dyes while director of the Gobelins Manufactory in Paris led to color theories that “provided the scientific basis for Impressionist and Neo-Impressionist painting”
The cruel gap  between knowing and doing ..
those who know it all have little left to learn; if learning was a pleasure, little pleasure remains
july 2026: am changing what, why I use the net as writing surface.
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