Perceptions of Blackness: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Science, Culture, and Literature in Iran

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Color Physics, Institute for Color Science and Technology, P.O. Box: 16765-654, Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Islamic Art, Faculty of Conservation & Restoration, Iran University of Art, P.O. Box: 1136813518, Tehran, Iran

3 Department of Philosophy, University of Delhi, Delhi 110 007, India

Abstract

The cultural perspective plays a pivotal role in the commercial and industrial success of products, with the color selection process, particularly the choice of black, having a profound emotional impact on consumers. The human visual system distinguishes colors into chromatic and achromatic categories, with black being a significant achromatic color that holds considerable commercial value across various industries, including textiles, printing, automotive, paints, ink, and cosmetics. To maintain quality control, industries require a reliable index to measure blackness. However, the development of such an index is complicated by the subjective nature of color perception, which is influenced by an observer's emotional feelings, cultural and scientific background. This paper delves into the perception and preference of blackness among Iranians, considering their literature, culture, religion, emotions, and scientific viewpoints. The results of this study showed that blackness is not a monolithic concept but is perceived through a spectrum of opposing aspects. Historically, Iranians have associated black with a range of contradictory meanings. In everyday life and popular culture, black commonly symbolizes mourning and sorrow and is used in religious and formal ceremonies. Yet, in the realms of art, literature, mythology, and religion, blackness is interpreted in dual, contrasting ways. These varied interpretations present a significant challenge to the objective assessment of blackness. In fact, developing an index to assess the perceived blackness that gains universal acceptance from color associations appears to be a complex task. This suggests that cultural semiotic structures may act as cognitive priors influencing perceptual evaluation of blackness. 

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

  1. MacDonald R. Color physics for industry. 2nd ed. Bradford: Dyer's Company Publication Trust; 1997.
  2. Ohta N, Robertson AR. Colorimetry: fundamentals and applications. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons Ltd; 2005.
  3. Berns RS. Billmeyer and Saltzman's principles of color technology. 3rd ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons Inc.; 2000.
  4. Jafari R, Ameri F. Effect of orange peel attribute of automotive finishes on their blackness perception. J Coat Technol Res. 2018;15(5):1003-1011. https://doi. org/10.1007/s11998-018-0046-7
  5. Jafari R, Amirshahi SH. Spectral reconstruction of blacks and whites by using the statistical colorants. Prog Color Colorants Coat. 2015;8(2):135-144.
  6. Jafari R, Amirshahi SH. Spectral decomposition of black coated fabrics to optimal feasible primaries. J Coat Technol Res. 2022;19:1645-1653. https://doi. org/10.1007/s11998-022-00635-9
  7. Jafari R, Amirshahi SH, Hosseini Ravandi SA. Effect of lightness on blackness preference of black fabrics. Prog Color Colorants Coat. 2015;8(1):11-24.
  8. Jafari R, Ameri F, Khalili N. Effect of the type of illumination on perceived blackness of automotive finishes. J Coat Technol Res. 2016;13(1):133-141. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11998-015-9734-8
  9. Jafari R, Amirshahi SH, Hosseini Ravandi SA. Colorimetric analysis of black coated fabrics. J Coat Technol Res. 2016;13(5):871-882. https://doi.org/10. 1007/ s11998-016-9790-8
  10. Westland S, Cheung TLV, Lozman OR. A metric for predicting perceptual blackness. In: 14th Color Imaging Conference: Final Program and Proceedings; 2006; Arizona, USA. Springfield (VA): Society for Imaging Science and Technology; 2006. p. 14-17.
  11. Jafari R. Spectral and colorimetrical analysis of blacks [dissertation]. Tehran: Amirkabir University of Technology; 2013. Persian.
  12. Jafari R, Amirshahi SH, Hosseini Ravandi SA. Determination of spectral dimensions of Munsell neutral samples. In: Proceedings of the AIC 2011 Midterm Meeting; 2011; Zurich, Switzerland.
  13. Jafari R, Amirshahi SH, Hosseini Ravandi SA. Spectral analysis of blacks. Color Res Appl. 2012; 37(3):176-185. https://doi.org/10.1002/col.20692
  14. Asano CM, Asano A, Murakami M, Mori M, Fujimoto T. A novel evaluation method of visual impression of black fabrics. In: Proceedings of the Asian Design International Conference; 2003; Chiba, Japan. p. G-47.
  15. Clonts JR, Shamey R, Hinks D. Effect of colorimetric attributes on perceived blackness of materials. In: Proceedings of the 4th European Conference on Colour in Graphics, Imaging, and Vision; 2010; Finland. p. 83-87.
  16. Haslup JRC, Shamey R, Hinks D. The effect of hue on the perception of blackness using Munsell samples. Color Res Appl. 2013;38:423-428. https://doi.org/10. 1002/col.21744
  17. Tao L, Westland S, Cheung V. Blackness: preference and perception (Hue). In: Proceedings of the 19th IS&T/SID Color and Imaging Conference; 2011; San Jose, CA, USA. p. 270-275.
  18. Tao L, Westland S, Cheung V. Blackness: preference and perception (Value and Chroma). In: Proceedings of the 6th European Conference on Colour in Graphics, Imaging, and Vision; 2012; Amsterdam, Netherlands. p. 253-258.
  19. Tao L, Westland S, Cheung V. Black. In: CREATE: Colour in Art, Science, Design, Conservation, Research, Printmaking, Digital Technologies and Textiles Conference; 2010; Gjøvik, Norway. p. 272-275.
  20. Schanda J. Colorimetry understanding the CIE system. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2007.
  21. Shevell SK. The science of color. 2nd ed. Washington (DC): Optical Society of America; 2003.
  22. Choudhury AKR. Modern concepts of color and appearance. Enfield (NH): Science Publishers Inc.; 2000.
  23. Ganz E. Whiteness: photometric specification and colorimetric evaluation. Appl Opt. 1976;15:2039-2058.
  24. Asano CM, Hirakawa S, Asano A. Exploration of image features for describing visual impressions of black fabrics. In: Proceedings of the KES Conference; 2004; Wellington, New Zealand. p. 756-763.
  25. Kihara M, Yoshizawa I, Murakami M, Asano CM, Asano A, Fujimoto T. The determination of pure blackness of the fabric in women's formal dresses. In: Proceedings of the 6th Asian Textile Conference; 2001; Hong Kong, China. p. 265-270.
  26. Jafari R, Amirshahi SH, Hosseini Ravandi SA. Blacks' colorimetric boundaries based on the perceived blackness. In: Proceedings of the AIC 2013 Conference; 2013; Newcastle, UK.
  27. Devarakonda B. Richness of Indian symbolism and changing perspectives. In: Symbols in Cultures and Identities in a Time of Global Interaction. Washington (DC): The Council for Research in Values and Philosophy; 2009. 256-271.
  28. Devarakonda B. Colour symbolism in Indian tradition. In: Proceedings of the International Conference of the Color Society of Russia; 2020.
  29. Cooper JC. Illustrated encyclopedia of traditional symbols. London: Thames and Hudson; 1978.
  30. Dehkhoda AA. Loghat-nameh-ye Dehkhoda [Dehkhoda Dictionary]. Tehran: University of Tehran Press; 1931. Persian.
  31. Moin M. Farhang-e Moin [Moin Encyclopedic Dictionary]. Tehran: Amir Kabir Publications; 1972. Persian.
  32. Amid H. Amid Persian dictionary. Tehran: Amirkabir Publications; 1393 [2014]. Persian.
  33. Zabeti Jahromi A. Studies in identifying Persian art. Tehran: Ney Publications; 2010. Persian.
  34. Hinnells JR. Persian mythology. London: Chancellor Press; 1997.
  35. Chunakova OM. The symbolic aspect of color in Pahlavi texts. (L. Asgari, Trans.). Nameh-ye Farhangestan. 1997;(12):64-72. Persian.
  36. Ahmad-Nejad K. Analysis of Nizami's works. Tehran: Elmi Publications; 1990. Persian.
  37. Khayyam Nishaburi UE. Nowruz Nameh [The Book of Nowruz]. Hasouri A, editor. Tehran: Tahouri Publications; 1996. Persian.
  38. Madad-Pour M. Mystical aesthetics of Islamic art. Tehran: Soureh Mehr Publications; 2011. Persian.
  39. Bakharzi YIA. Owrad al-Ahbab va Fosos al-Adab. Afshar I, editor. Tehran: University of Tehran Press; 2004. Persian.
  40. Nayieeji MH. Translation and description of Mesbah al-Ons. Qom: Ayat Eshraq Publications; 2009. Persian.
  41. Shabestari M. Golshan-e raz. 2nd ed. Tehran: Eshraghieh Publications; 1992. Persian.
  42. Corbin H. The man of light in Iranian Sufism. Pearson N, translator. New Lebanon (NY): Omega Publications; 1994.
  43. Hafez. Hafez's ghazals. Tehran: Alborz Publications; 2008. Persian.
  44. Nizami Ganjavi. The Khamsa. 4th ed. Tehran: Ghatreh Publications; 2010. Persian.
  45. Ferdowsi Tusi A. Shahnameh. Hamidian S, editor. Based on the Moscow edition. Tehran: Ghatreh Publications; 1994. Persian.
  46. Hassanli K, Ahmadian L. The functions of colors, notably black and white, in Shahnameh of Ferdowsi. Adab Pazhuhi. 2007;1(2):143-165.. https://dorl. net/dor/20.1001.1.17358027.1386.1.2.5.4. [in Persian]

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics