170235 UE Exercise Course "Staged Spaces" (2022W)

One of the first sources of the colour blue was from the stone of lapis lazuli, imported in Europe from Afghanistan and because of its rarity and long transport, its use meant privilege and power. The symbolism of the colour reflected therefore its real value and it was used for a long time primarily to depict the Virgin Mary and the divine, later also used for royal coats of arms and in freemason symbolism. From the 18th century onwards blue became even more popular, particularly after the discovery of indigo blue and Prussian blue, the latter produced in Europe and its symbolism expanded to include peace and spirituality, its popularity peaking in the 20th century, when the symbolism changed to add references to water, cold and calmness.

This course will explore the history and symbolic uses of the colour blue in art, literature and film. We will use examples from painting and literary texts from poetry and fairy tales (Bluebeard, L’oiseau bleu) to German Romanticism and the blue flower, as well as examples from contemporary art and cinema with seminal films such as Luc Besson’s ‘Le Grand Bleu’ (1988) and Krzysztof Kieslowski’s ‘Blue’ (1993) from his three colour trilogy. We will use comparative methodologies, as well as historical references to the political and military blue, with examples spanning from the colour symbolism in the French and American revolutions and their respective flags to perception of colour in terms of cultural background, age or gender and in the context of marketing and advertising.

Ziele
Upon successful completion of this course, students will: -Have developed more general text and media analysis skills, in particular, regarding genre. -Have a greater understanding of the cultural and sociopolitical landscape of Europe in the last four centuries as seen through the examples we will study. -Have developed their ability to discuss texts and media in a written and oral manner through video presentations, in-class discussions and excerpt analyses. -Have experience in comparative thinking and methodology and a wider knowledge of colour theory and symbolism.

Methoden
Interactive lectures and seminars that include text analyses and group discussions, so that students are encouraged to participate and develop confidence in building up and expressing their critical thinking. Students are given feedback which they can then incorporate in their written assignments, which reinforces their analytical skills and pursuing their own research. If offered in presence, excursions to museums will be included. The students will develop their own project on the colour blue in any preferred medium.