Red has been my favorite color for a very long time. Seldom do I look at my work from the standpoint of color alone, but this photo essay was deliciously red and led me to vigorously research the color and all it symbolizes.
Red enhances metabolism, increases respiration rate, and raises blood pressure. It has high visibility, which is why stop-lights, and fire equipment are usually painted red. A red flag denotes warning, danger, a need to stop, look and listen (high voltage signs, railroad crossings, traffic lights). The USSR, Red China and Communism have always been painted red in our minds.
Red is often, red ink, as in debt. Hillbillies are often called rednecks. Red tape is what we struggle through to get married and/or divorced. Redheads are said to have fiery tempers? We roll out the red carpet for honored guests. Pokers are called red-hot! Sometimes a beautiful woman is red-hot? Some humans prefer red wine to white wine.
Red-blooded Americans quite often means healthy, virile young men. Red is often used to evoke erotic feelings: red lips, red nails, red-light districts, ‘Lady in Red’, etc. Hence, red is the color of fire and blood, connected in our minds with energy, war, danger, strength, power, determination as well as passion, desire, and love.
When I was a child, my Grandfather always wore a red tie.
One day I will buy myself a RED PORSCHE…
