Stream Of White

White ceramics

Aldo Flower Vase by M. and D. Fuksas for Alessi

Why does white look white

Pure, refreshing, refined, crisp, clear, illuminating and virtuous are some of the descriptive terms that come to mind for the colour white. This majestic colour has an intriguing dynamic in that it is without hue yet contains all colours of the light spectrum.
White is the color the human eye sees when it looks at light which contains all the wavelengths of the visible spectrum. This light stimulates all three types of color sensitive cone cells in the eye in nearly equal amounts.The reason substances appear white is because their surfaces reflect back most of the light that strikes them without absorbing any colors.

White was connnected with the goddess Isis in ancient Egypt. The priests and priestesses of Isis dressed only in white linen. Similarily, in ancient Rome, the priestesses of the goddess Vesta dressed in white linen robes, a white palla or shawl, and a white veil. White symbolized their purity, loyalty, and chastity. A plain white toga was worn for ceremonial occasions by all Roman citizens over the age of 14-18. No Roman man was allowed to appear in the Roman forum without a toga.

During the Middle Ages, painters rarely ever mixed colors; but in the Renaissance, the influential humanist and scholar Leon Battista Alberti encouraged artists to add white to their colors to make them lighter and brighter. This was adopted by numerous painters, and the palette of the Renaissance was considerably more vivid.

White porcelain originated in China and was widely produced due to its translucency, strength and hardness. It became highly prized after it was exported to the Islamic world and onto Europe.

Moon flasks. Famille rose. Qing 1723-35.

Sir Percival David Collection, British Museum

A beluga white whale. Its colour helps it hide from its chief enemies, the polar bear and killer whales

Burtz sundae soup tea bowls

Vintage White Vase – Heinrich, Germany

Turi Heisselberg

L’Officina Handmade Ceramic ( Etsy )

These bowls are made with wool dipped in porcelain paperclay and arranged in a shape.Paperclay is a mix of porcelain and paper pulp. Paper in the clay changes the molecular structure of the clay body. The paper burns out of the clay in the kiln after about 300° and then the clay is as normal.Paper clay will withstand multiple re-dampening so you can make changes in the form. It will also withstand forced drying.

Thought Circles – Rheka Goyal

Tania Rollond

Taizo Kuroda

Sung Jae Choi – buncheong jar

Ruth Duckworth

Charles Murphy

Karen Morgan

Linda Styles – UK

Lotus Car Sculpture - Gerry Judah

Micro hybrid bi flora – Lindsay Feuer

Nagae Shigekazu - Forms in Succession

Jonathan Latiano – Points Of Contention

Prism – Bartek Mejor.

Jennifer McCurdy

The Shinto religion uses white sand or gravel to symbolize a sacred place, while Zen Buddhism uses it to stimulate calm and meditation in their Zen gardens. The use of curved lines symbolised all embracing compassion.

Futuristic white :

The colour white has quite often featured in futuristic scenes in movies and with modern décor. Predominant use of the colour promotes a minimalist, uncluttered appearance and clean contemporary lines. This could be a reflection of a subconscious desire to have a future that fades to white rather then black and maintains a purity and order.