Introduction: On Colour and Spectacle

Abstract

For a very long time, spectacle and colour have been associated with joyful festivities, such as carnivals or fairground attractions, liberating people from periods of hard work and 'dark days' . However, spectacle and colour are closely intertwined with suppression and power as well. Colourful fireworks were traditionally a strategy of ruling powers to demonstrate their dominance over their spectators, as fireworks were the result of expensive chemical explosions and strong military forces who had the skill to handle them and the willingness to take the necessary security risks. For many centuries using colour in spectacle meant luxury as it implied hazardous chemistry, colourful gems, expensive colour pigments or colourful exotic birds and flowers. This resulted in an 'aristocratic' connotation for colour. In brief, colour meant exclusivity, luxury and partying.