Lauren|NNP Ballinger|NNP 05/12/08|CD Reaching|VBG Transcendence|NNP through|IN the|DT Elimination|NNP of|IN color|NN :|: The|DT Ideal|NNP Minimalism|NNP of|IN Black|NNP and|CC White|NNP 
The|DT world|NN is|VBZ made|VBN up|RP of|IN a|DT myriad|JJ of|IN colors|NNS .|. color|NN gives|VBZ distinction|NN to|TO our|PRP$ life|NN ,|, it|PRP gives|VBZ flavor|NN and|CC meaning|VBG .|. 
What|WP would|MD our|PRP$ lives|NNS be|VB without|IN color|NN ?|. 
At|IN the|DT same|JJ time|NN in|IN our|PRP$ modern|JJ society|NN ,|, color|NN has|VBZ been|VBN seen|VBN as|IN an|DT external|JJ threat|NN to|TO be|VB purged|VBN from|IN the|DT enlightened|JJ mind|NN and|CC space|NN .|. 
color|NN is|VBZ seen|VBN as|IN corrupting|JJ ,|, intoxicating|VBG ,|, disorienting|VBG and|CC in|IN art|NN ,|, has|VBZ come|VBN to|TO be|VB associated|VBN with|IN the|DT vulgar|NN and|CC the|DT kitsch|NN .|. 
We|PRP went|VBD from|IN times|NNS of|IN celebrating|VBG color|NN and|CC decoration|NN to|TO one|CD of|IN minimalism|NN where|WRB black|NN and|CC white|NN were|VBD placed|VBN at|IN the|DT front|NN as|IN representations|NNS of|IN modernity|NN and|CC ultimate|JJ transcendence|NN .|. 
What|WP is|VBZ the|DT significance|NN for|IN this|DT preference|NN for|IN black|NN and|CC white|JJ when|WRB it|PRP comes|VBZ to|TO high|JJ art|NN ?|. 
Why|WRB in|IN a|DT world|NN filled|VBN with|IN color|NN do|VBP we|PRP feel|VBP the|DT need|NN to|TO purge|VB it|PRP from|IN our|PRP$ space|NN ?|. 
What|WP exactly|RB is|VBZ the|DT debate|NN between|IN colorlessness|NN vs|NNS color|NN and|CC more|RBR specifically|RB can|MD black|NN and|CC white|JJ be|VB considered|VBN non-colors|JJ ?|. 

Ever|RB since|IN the|DT dawn|NN of|IN man|NN ,|, human|JJ society|NN has|VBZ evolved|VBN in|IN ways|NNS which|WDT attempt|VBP to|TO ultimately|RB control|VB nature|NN .|. 
Seeing|VBG as|IN color|NN is|VBZ something|NN of|IN the|DT natural|JJ world|NN ,|, age|NN old|JJ and|CC archaic|JJ ,|, washing|VBG it|PRP away|RB from|IN our|PRP$ lives|NNS is|VBZ the|DT ultimate|JJ form|NN of|IN rising|VBG above|IN the|DT physical|JJ world|NN .|. 
“|NN Intelligent|NNP beings|NNS have|VBP a|DT language|NN represented|VBN by|IN articulate|VB sounds|VBZ ;|: organized|VBN beings|NNS ,|, like|IN all|DT animals|NNS and|CC vegetables|NNS ,|, express|VB themselves|PRP by|IN cries|VBZ or|CC forms|VBZ ,|, contour|NN or|CC carriage|NN .|. 
Inorganic|NNP nature|NN has|VBZ only|RB the|DT language|NN of|IN color|NN .|. 
It|PRP is|VBZ by|IN color|NN alone|RB that|IN a|DT certain|JJ stone|NN tells|VBZ us|PRP it|PRP is|VBZ a|DT sapphire|NN or|CC emerald|NN …|NN color|NN ,|, then|RB ,|, is|VBZ the|DT peculiar|JJ characteristic|NN of|IN the|DT lower|JJR forms|NNS of|IN nature|NN ,|, while|IN drawing|VBG becomes|VBZ the|DT medium|NN of|IN expression|NN ,|, more|JJR and|CC more|RBR dominant|JJ ,|, the|DT higher|JJR we|PRP rise|VBP in|IN the|DT scale|NN of|IN being|VBG ”|NN 
(|( Blanc|NNP ,|, Chromophobia|NNP ,|, p|NN .25|CD )|) .|. The|DT history|NN of|IN color|NN is|VBZ about|IN the|DT ways|NNS in|IN which|WDT man|NN has|VBZ tried|VBN to|TO find|VB the|DT ideal|JJ state|NN of|IN being|VBG throughout|IN the|DT ages|NNS .|. 

In|IN the|DT Far|NNP East|NNP ,|, reaching|VBG a|DT state|NN of|IN colorless-ness|JJ is|VBZ associated|VBN with|IN the|DT highest|JJS state|NN of|IN spiritual|NN being|NN ,|, the|DT state|NN of|IN Zen|NNP .|. 
What|WP is|VBZ typical|JJ of|IN this|DT sort|NN of|IN ascetism|NN is|VBZ the|DT art|NN of|IN expressing|VBG as|RB much|RB as|IN possible|JJ using|VBG the|DT minimum|NN as|IN an|DT ideal|NN .|. 
This|DT is|VBZ apparent|JJ through|IN Japanese|JJ haiku|NN as|RB well|RB as|IN the|DT art|NN of|IN ink|NN painting|NN in|IN both|DT China|NNP and|CC Japan|NNP .|. 
For|IN them|PRP ,|, reaching|VBG the|DT greatest|JJS depths|NNS of|IN spirituality|NN demanded|VBD expression|NN in|IN its|PRP$ most|RBS minimal|JJ form|NN .|. 
This|DT reduction|NN of|IN color|NN and|CC expression|NN proved|VBD the|DT purity|NN the|DT artist|NN had|VBD reached|VBN within|IN himself|PRP ,|, it|PRP was|VBD a|DT means|NN of|IN reducing|VBG down|RB to|TO the|DT essence|NN of|IN a|DT thing|NN .|. 

In|IN the|DT Elimination|NNP of|IN color|NN in|IN the|DT Far|NNP East|NNP ,|, Izutsu|NNP explains|VBZ though|IN how|WRB this|DT ultimate|JJ state|NN of|IN minimalism|NN can|MD only|RB be|VB reached|VBN through|IN an|DT appreciation|NN and|CC fine|NN knowledge|NN of|IN color|NN .|. 
“|NN This|DT artistic|JJ acestism|NN ,|, i.e.|NN ,|, the|DT suppression|NN of|IN externals|NNS and|CC the|DT reduction|NN of|IN all|DT colors|NNS to|TO black|NN and|CC white|JJ ,|, manifests|NNS its|PRP$ real|JJ aesthetic|JJ function|NN only|RB against|IN the|DT background|NN of|IN a|DT highly|RB refined|VBN sensibility|NN for|IN colors|NNS and|CC their|PRP$ subtle|JJ hues|NNS .|. 
In|IN other|JJ words|NNS ,|, the|DT true|JJ profundity|NN of|IN the|DT beauty|NN of|IN black|NN and|CC white|NN is|VBZ disclosed|VBN only|RB to|TO those|DT eyes|NNS that|WDT are|VBP able|JJ to|TO appreciate|VB the|DT splendors|NNS of|IN sumptuous|JJ and|CC glowing|JJ colors|NNS with|IN all|DT their|PRP$ delicate|JJ shades|NNS and|CC tints|NNS ”|NN 
(|( Izutsu|NNP ,|, p.|NN 169|CD )|) .|. For|IN black|NN and|CC white|JJ can|MD only|RB be|VB seen|VBN as|IN distinguishing|VBG against|IN a|DT background|NN of|IN color|NN and|CC for|IN this|DT very|JJ reason|NN one|PRP can|MD assert|VB that|IN both|DT black|NN and|CC white|JJ are|VBP colors|NNS in|IN themselves|PRP as|IN non-colors|JJ .|. 

It|PRP is|VBZ through|IN the|DT absence|NN of|IN color|NN that|IN one|CD brings|VBZ to|TO mind|VB the|DT colors|NNS that|WDT are|VBP no|DT longer|RB present|JJ .|. 
It|PRP is|VBZ up|IN to|TO the|DT mind|NN to|TO fill|VB in|IN the|DT blank|JJ space|NN .|. 
Without|IN color|NN one|PRP could|MD not|RB appreciate|VB the|DT purity|NN of|IN the|DT black|NN and|CC white|JJ space|NN .|. 
colorlessness|NN needs|VBZ color|NN in|IN order|NN to|TO for|IN the|DT full|JJ aesthetic|JJ experience|NN to|TO take|VB place|NN .|. 
“|NN That|DT is|VBZ to|TO say|VB ,|, under|IN the|DT total|JJ absence|NN of|IN color|NN ,|, there|EX is|VBZ a|DT vague|JJ reminiscence|NN of|IN all|DT colors|NNS that|WDT have|VBP been|VBN “|NN killed|VBD ”|NN 
(|( Izutsu|NNP ,|, p.|NN 177|CD )|) .|. Black|NNP and|CC white|JJ are|VBP the|DT consummation|NN of|IN all|DT colors|NNS into|IN one|CD .|. 
“|NN Black|NNP is|VBZ life|NN ;|: it|PRP is|VBZ the|DT infinite|NN possibility|NN of|IN expression|NN and|CC development|NN .|. Black|NNP here|RB is|VBZ not|RB sheer|JJ black|NN .|. 
For|IN in|IN it|PRP ’s|VBZ negation|NN of|IN all|DT colors|NNS ,|, all|DT colors|NNS are|VBP positively|RB affirmed|VBD ”|NN 
(|( Izutsu|NNP ,|, p.|NN 193|CD )|) .|. It|PRP is|VBZ through|IN these|DT means|VBZ that|IN one|CD finds|VBZ the|DT essence|NN in|IN a|DT thing|NN .|. 

In|IN Western|JJ society|NN ,|, this|DT purging|VBG of|IN color|NN began|VBD with|IN the|DT rejection|NN of|IN ideals|NNS of|IN generations|NNS past|JJ .|. 
Eliminating|VBG color|NN was|VBD a|DT way|NN of|IN eliminating|VBG the|DT decadence|NN of|IN the|DT 18th|JJ century|NN .|. 
Society|NNP turned|VBD to|TO minimalism|NN as|IN a|DT way|NN of|IN cleansing|VBG life|NN ,|, representing|VBG modernity|NN .|. 
color|NN became|VBD a|DT moral|JJ issue|NN ,|, seen|VBN as|IN something|NN sensuous|JJ and|CC dangerous|JJ in|IN its|PRP$ secondary|JJ nature|NN to|TO the|DT essence|NN of|IN life|NN and|CC form|NN .|. 
“|NN The|DT predominance|NN of|IN color|NN at|IN the|DT expense|NN of|IN drawing|VBG is|VBZ a|DT usurpation|NN of|IN the|DT relative|NN over|IN the|DT absolute|JJ ,|, of|IN fleeting|JJ appearance|NN over|IN permanent|JJ form|NN ,|, of|IN physical|JJ impression|NN over|IN the|DT empire|NN of|IN the|DT soul|NN ”|NN 
(|( Chromophobia|NNP ,|, p.|NN 28|CD )|) .|. color|NN rests|VBZ on|IN the|DT surface|NN of|IN an|DT object|VBP ,|, it|PRP is|VBZ superficial|JJ ,|, cosmetic|JJ and|CC therefore|RB deceptive|JJ since|IN it|PRP hides|NNS the|DT true|JJ nature|NN of|IN that|DT thing|NN .|. 

color|NN is|VBZ associated|VBN with|IN the|DT Fall|NN from|IN Grace|NNP .|. 
It|PRP is|VBZ something|NN which|WDT speaks|VBZ to|TO the|DT senses|NNS ,|, not|RB the|DT mind|NN ,|, it|PRP is|VBZ external|JJ and|CC therefore|RB secondary|JJ to|TO life|NN .|. 
It|PRP deals|VBZ with|IN the|DT body|NN ,|, emotions|NNS ,|, not|RB the|DT intellect|NN .|. 
It|PRP strays|NNS from|IN reason|NN in|IN the|DT way|NN which|WDT it|PRP consumes|NNS and|CC manipulates|VBZ life|NN .|. 
“|NN color|NN was|VBD a|DT permanent|JJ internal|JJ threat|NN ,|, an|DT ever-present|JJ inner|JJ other|JJ which|WDT ,|, if|IN unleashed|VBD ,|, would|MD be|VB the|DT ruin|VB of|IN everything|NN ,|, the|DT fall|NN of|IN culture|NN .|. 
For|IN [|NN Charles|NNP Blanc|NNP ]|NN color|NN also|RB represents|VBZ a|DT kind|NN of|IN ruination|NN .|. color|NN for|IN him|PRP signifies|NNS the|DT mythical|JJ savage|NN state|NN out|IN of|IN which|WDT civilization|NN ,|, the|DT nobility|NN of|IN the|DT human|JJ spirit|NN ,|, slowly|RB ,|, heroically|RB ,|, has|VBZ lifted|VBN itself|PRP –|NN but|CC back|RB into|IN which|WDT it|PRP could|MD always|RB slide|VB 
”|NN (|( Chromophobia|NNP ,|, p.|NN 23|CD )|) .|. It|PRP is|VBZ a|DT descent|NN in|IN the|DT way|NN it|PRP makes|VBZ one|CD lose|VB consciousness|NN and|CC enter|VB into|IN the|DT physical|JJ world|NN of|IN desire|NN ,|, and|CC to|TO desire|NN is|VBZ to|TO lose|VB control|NN over|IN oneself|PRP .|. 
Thus|RB ,|, began|VBD the|DT cult|NN of|IN the|DT black|NN and|CC white|JJ .|. 

White|NNP is|VBZ seen|VBN as|IN representing|VBG spirituality|NN ,|, the|DT heavens|NNS ,|, and|CC light|JJ ,|, it|PRP is|VBZ all|DT which|WDT is|VBZ modern|JJ ,|, it|PRP signifies|NNS the|DT opposite|NN of|IN the|DT carnal|NN nature|NN of|IN color|NN .|. 
It|PRP is|VBZ the|DT control|NN of|IN nature|NN ,|, and|CC the|DT body|NN and|CC represents|VBZ the|DT modern|JJ man|NN .|. 

“|NN WHITE|NNP is|VBZ the|DT spiritual|NN color|NN of|IN our|PRP$ times|NNS ,|, the|DT clearness|NNS which|WDT directs|VBZ all|DT out|RP actions|NNS .|. 
It|PRP is|VBZ neither|DT grey|JJ white|NN ,|, nor|CC vory|NN white|JJ ,|, but|CC pure|JJ white|NN .|. 

WHITE|NNP is|VBZ the|DT color|NN of|IN modern|JJ times|NNS ,|, the|DT color|NN which|WDT dissipates|VBZ a|DT whole|JJ era|NN ;|: our|PRP$ era|NN is|VBZ perfection|NN ,|, purity|NN ,|, certitude|NN .|. 

WHITE|NNP It|PRP includes|VBZ everything|NN .|. 

We|PRP have|VBP superceded|VBD both|DT the|DT ‘|NN brown|JJ ’|NN of|IN decadence|NN and|CC classiscm|NN and|CC the|DT ‘|NN blue|JJ ’|NN of|IN divisionism|NN ,|, the|DT cult|NN of|IN the|DT blue|JJ ky|NN ,|, the|DT gods|NNS with|IN green|JJ beards|NNS and|CC the|DT spectrum|NN .|. 

WHITE|NNP pure|JJ white|NN .|. 
”|NN (|( Chromophobia|NNP ,|, p.|NN 47|CD )|) .|. 
For|IN these|DT reasons|NNS black|NN and|CC white|JJ have|VBP been|VBN placed|VBN at|IN the|DT top|NN of|IN the|DT hierarchy|NN of|IN colors|NNS .|. 
Abolishing|NNP color|NN means|VBZ controlling|VBG color|NN .|. 
“|NN The|DT white|JJ surface|NN exposes|NNS color|NN ,|, presents|VBZ it|PRP for|IN disciplining|VBG .|. 
It|PRP keeps|VBZ an|DT eye|NN on|IN all|PDT the|DT objects|NNS it|PRP frames|NNS .|. 
But|CC before|IN that|DT ,|, it|PRP keeps|VBZ an|DT eye|NN on|IN itself|PRP ,|, watching|VBG its|PRP$ freshly|RB laundered|VBN and|CC neatly|RB folded|VBD fabric|NN for|IN the|DT stain|VB of|IN color|NN ”|NN 
(|( Wigly|NNP ,|, p.|NN 151|CD )|) .|. colorlessness|NN is|VBZ not|RB natural|JJ ,|, and|CC thus|RB proves|VBZ man|NN ’|NN s|VBZ superiority|NN over|IN this|DT world|NN .|. 

On|IN the|DT other|JJ hand|NN ,|, we|PRP need|VBP color|NN in|IN order|NN to|TO distinguish|VB black|NN and|CC white|JJ .|. 
Just|RB as|IN those|DT from|IN the|DT Far|NNP East|NNP ,|, the|DT purity|NN of|IN white|JJ implies|VBZ what|WP has|VBZ been|VBN washed|VBN away|RB and|CC thus|RB makes|VBZ the|DT white|JJ glitter|NN even|RB more|JJR .|. 
White|NNP and|CC black|JJ stand|NN out|IN because|IN of|IN color|NN ,|, and|CC color|NN stand|NN out|IN because|IN of|IN white|JJ and|CC black|JJ .|. 
They|PRP are|VBP linked|VBN intrinsically|RB together|RB ,|, one|PRP can|MD not|RB go|VB without|IN the|DT other|JJ .|. 
“|NN White|NNP is|VBZ the|DT setting|VBG for|IN color|NN .|. 
.|. In|IN a|DT mosque|NN for|IN example|NN ,|, the|DT architectonic|JJ effect|NN of|IN its|PRP$ white|JJ garment|NN is|VBZ assisted|VBN by|IN a|DT strategic|JJ use|NN of|IN color|NN :|: “|NN All|DT these|DT things|NNS are|VBP clothed|VBN in|IN a|DT majestic|JJ coat|NN of|IN whitewash|NN .|. 
The|DT forms|NNS stand|VBP out|IN clearly|RB ;|: the|DT impeccable|JJ construction|NN displays|NNS all|DT its|PRP$ boldness|NNS .|. 
At|IN times|NNS a|DT high|JJ stylobate|NN of|IN delightful|JJ ceramic|JJ produces|VBZ a|DT blue|JJ vibration|NN .|. ”|NN 
The|DT sensuous|JJ vibration|NN of|IN the|DT color|NN clarifies|VBZ the|DT white|JJ surface|NN whose|WP$ limit|NN it|PRP marks|VBZ ”|NN 
(|( Wigley|NNP ,|, p.|NN 209|CD )|) .|. We|PRP need|VBP this|DT opposition|NN between|IN color|NN and|CC ‘|NN non-color|JJ ’|NN to|TO make|VB distinction|NN between|IN the|DT two|CD ,|, otherwise|RB neither|DT would|MD hold|VB such|JJ significance|NN .|. 
White|NNP helps|VBZ to|TO harmonize|NN colors|NNS that|WDT would|MD otherwise|RB clash|VB ,|, it|PRP brings|VBZ together|RB and|CC unites|VBZ .|. 
“|NN White|NNP expresses|VBZ a|DT certain|JJ incorporeality|NN .|. 
The|DT use|NN of|IN white|NN is|VBZ therefore|RB decisive|JJ for|IN the|DT bodily|RB appearance|NN of|IN a|DT space|NN .|. 
Concrete|NNP bodies|NNS decrease|VBP the|DT space|NN more|JJR or|CC less|JJR depending|VBG on|IN their|PRP$ color|NN value|NN .|. 
Against|IN white|JJ ,|, one|PRP can|MD actually|RB establish|VB the|DT intensity|NN of|IN clashing|VBG colors|NNS ;|: white|JJ determines|VBZ the|DT tone|NN in|IN the|DT first|JJ place|NN .|. 
Because|IN of|IN this|DT it|PRP is|VBZ possible|JJ to|TO take|VB up|RP any|DT given|JJ colors|NNS and|CC make|VB them|PRP harmonize|NN 
”|NN (|( Wigley|NNP ,|, p.|NN 311|CD )|) .|. 
For|IN this|DT reason|NN white|JJ walls|NNS are|VBP favored|VBN over|IN colored|VBN ones|NNS for|IN both|DT galleries|NNS and|CC architectural|JJ spaces|NNS .|. 
The|DT white|NN of|IN the|DT walls|NNS intensifies|NNS the|DT color|NN of|IN what|WP is|VBZ set|VBN before|IN them|PRP .|. 
It|PRP stabilizes|VBZ and|CC controls|VBZ forms|NNS because|IN it|PRP brings|VBZ to|TO light|VB the|DT contours|NNS of|IN the|DT space|NN .|. 
“|NN In|IN the|DT white|JJ painted|VBN room|NN the|DT clarity|NN of|IN spatial|NN sensation|NN and|CC disposition|NN was|VBD surest|JJS and|CC most|RBS convincing|VBG ,|, all|PDT the|DT details|NNS of|IN the|DT form|NN and|CC color|NN of|IN the|DT furnishings|NNS could|MD be|VB developed|VBN undisturbed|JJ in|IN front|NN of|IN this|DT background|NN …|NN In|IN this|DT a|DT form|NN was|VBD discovered|VBN which|WDT was|VBD completely|RB convincing|JJ in|IN its|PRP$ simplicity|NN and|CC which|WDT could|MD be|VB seen|VBN as|IN one|CD of|IN the|DT essential|JJ formulas|NNS for|IN wall|NN treatment|NN in|IN “|NN closed|VBD ”|NN spaces|NNS ”|NN 
(|( Wigley|NNP ,|, p.|NN 313|CD )|) .|. 
There|EX is|VBZ another|DT important|JJ aspect|NN which|WDT white|NN is|VBZ representative|NN of|IN ,|, and|CC that|DT is|VBZ the|DT well|NN educated|VBN and|CC socially|RB elite|NN .|. 
In|IN the|DT 19th|JJ century|NN it|PRP became|VBD fashionable|JJ for|IN bourgeois|NNS women|NNS to|TO dress|VB in|IN white|JJ ,|, while|IN men|NNS dressed|VBN in|IN black|JJ (|( Wigley|NNP )|) .|. 
These|DT distinctions|NNS proved|VBD a|DT certain|JJ rational|JJ order|NN ,|, only|RB attained|VBN by|IN those|DT able|JJ to|TO afford|VB of|IN it|PRP .|. 
White|JJ walls|NNS ,|, white|JJ clothing|NN ,|, they|PRP both|DT require|VB much|RB more|JJR maintenance|NN than|IN something|NN colored|VBN where|WRB a|DT stain|VB can|MD merely|RB hide|VB away|RB among|IN the|DT other|JJ colors|NNS .|. 
Crisp|NNP whiteness|NNS on|IN the|DT other|JJ hand|NN expresses|VBZ a|DT sort|NN of|IN luxury|NN ,|, and|CC leisure|NN .|. 
White|JJ clothing|NN proved|VBD that|DT someone|NN was|VBD of|IN a|DT level|NN of|IN society|NN in|IN which|WDT they|PRP were|VBD not|RB forced|VBN to|TO work|VB ,|, for|IN the|DT clothing|NN would|MD immediately|RB become|VB soiled|VBD if|IN not|RB and|CC thus|RB the|DT reason|NN why|WRB women|NNS who|WP were|VBD the|DT ones|NNS to|TO stay|VB at|IN home|NN dressed|VBN in|IN all|DT white|NN ,|, while|IN men|NNS who|WP were|VBD the|DT ones|NNS to|TO go|VB out|IN and|CC work|NN wore|VBD black|JJ ,|, for|IN black|NN did|VBD in|IN fact|NN hide|VB stains|NNS .|. 

The|DT same|JJ goes|VBZ with|IN white|JJ walls|NNS ,|, in|IN their|PRP$ impeccability|NN it|PRP proved|VBD to|TO whoever|WP ,|, that|IN the|DT owner|NN could|MD afford|VB to|TO not|RB live|VB actually|RB live|VB in|IN this|DT space|NN ,|, or|CC could|MD afford|VB more|RBR simply|RB for|IN the|DT upkeep|NN and|CC constant|JJ fresh|JJ coats|NNS of|IN paint|NN .|. 
Both|DT as|RB well|RB were|VBD signs|NNS of|IN the|DT modern|JJ age|NN man|NN had|VBD reached|VBN .|. 
“|NN Pure|NNP white|NN was|VBD de|IN rigueur|FW ,|, partly|RB because|IN of|IN its|PRP$ exciting|JJ novelty|NN ,|, partly|RB because|IN it|PRP emphasized|VBD the|DT smoothly|RB mechanical|JJ texture|NN ,|, and|CC pointed|VBD the|DT contrast|NN between|IN it|PRP and|CC surrounding|VBG nature|NN ”|NN 
(|( Wigley|NNP ,|, p.|NN xvii|NN )|) .|. The|DT use|NN of|IN white|NN was|VBD proof|NN that|DT man|NN had|VBD conquered|JJ nature|NN .|. 

The|DT use|NN of|IN white|JJ and|CC black|JJ in|IN dress|NN and|CC architecture|NN also|RB became|VBD a|DT way|NN of|IN distinguishing|VBG oneself|PRP from|IN the|DT vulgar|NN ,|, normal|JJ ,|, lower|JJR classes|NNS .|. 
“|NN .|. .|. it|PRP is|VBZ also|RB worthy|JJ of|IN remark|NN ,|, that|IN savage|NN nations|NNS ,|, uneducated|JJ people|NNS ,|, and|CC children|NNS have|VBP a|DT great|JJ predilection|NN for|IN vivid|JJ colors|NNS ;|: that|IN animals|NNS are|VBP excited|VBN to|TO rage|VB by|IN certain|JJ colors|NNS ;|: that|IN people|NNS of|IN refinement|NN avoid|VB vivid|JJ colors|NNS in|IN their|PRP$ dress|NN and|CC the|DT objects|NNS that|WDT are|VBP about|IN them|PRP ,|, and|CC seem|VBP inclined|VBN to|TO banish|VB them|PRP altogether|RB from|IN their|PRP$ presence|NN 
”|NN (|( Chromophobia|NNP ,|, p.|NN 112|CD )|) .|. Furthermore|RB ,|, with|IN the|DT advent|NN of|IN industrialization|NN the|DT invention|NN of|IN new|JJ synthetic|JJ dyes|NNS meant|VBN that|DT color|NN in|IN dress|NN became|VBD democratized|VBN for|IN all|DT classes|NNS .|. 
Now|RB ,|, anyone|NN could|MD afford|VB to|TO wear|VB colorful|JJ clothing|NN and|CC the|DT masses|NNS began|VBD to|TO dress|VB themselves|PRP in|IN what|WP once|RB would|MD have|VB been|VBN inconceivable|JJ to|TO them|PRP .|. 

Thus|RB said|VBD ,|, the|DT use|NN of|IN black|NN in|IN white|JJ in|IN wardrobe|NN perhaps|RB was|VBD a|DT way|NN for|IN the|DT new|JJ bourgeoisie|NN to|TO distinguish|VB themselves|PRP from|IN the|DT decadence|NN of|IN the|DT upper|JJ class|NN and|CC the|DT vulgarity|NN from|IN the|DT low|NN .|. 
“|NN In|IN the|DT prevailing|VBG styles|NNS of|IN the|DT European|JJ bourgeoisie|NN ,|, there|EX long|RB survived|VBD a|DT tendency|NN to|TO limit|VB the|DT use|NN of|IN color|NN ,|, with|IN strong|JJ emphasis|NN on|IN what|WP are|VBP generally|RB thought|VBN of|IN as|IN non|NN colors|NNS ,|, such|JJ as|IN white|JJ ,|, black|JJ and|CC gray|JJ ”|NN 
(|( The|DT Style|NN Engine|NNP ,|, p.|NN 40|CD )|) .|. Another|DT reason|NN why|WRB it|PRP is|VBZ believed|VBN that|IN the|DT bourgeoisie|NN took|VBD preference|NN in|IN black|NN and|CC white|NN is|VBZ because|IN of|IN the|DT Victorian|JJ sobriety|NN of|IN the|DT age|NN and|CC their|PRP$ obsession|NN with|IN purity|NN and|CC cleanliness|NN .|. 
Wearing|VBG black|NN and|CC white|JJ also|RB marked|VBD the|DT distinction|NN of|IN labor|NN between|IN men|NNS and|CC women|NNS and|CC in|IN a|DT highly|RB rigid|JJ and|CC segmented|JJ society|NN ,|, the|DT wearing|VBG of|IN different|JJ colors|NNS seemed|VBD the|DT most|RBS obvious|JJ way|NN to|TO do|VB so|RB .|. 
This|DT simplicity|NN of|IN dress|NN was|VBD seen|VBN as|IN a|DT mark|NN of|IN the|DT modern|JJ man|NN .|. 

Other|JJ major|JJ technologies|NNS during|IN the|DT age|NN of|IN industrialization|NN also|RB had|VBD an|DT effect|NN on|IN this|DT preference|NN for|IN black|NN and|CC white|JJ .|. 
Photography|NNP took|VBD over|IN as|IN a|DT means|NN of|IN portraiture|NN for|IN the|DT bourgeois|NNS and|CC the|DT upper|JJ class|NN and|CC despite|IN the|DT fact|NN that|IN it|PRP was|VBD possible|JJ to|TO color|VB the|DT photographs|NNS ,|, for|IN the|DT most|JJS part|NN they|PRP were|VBD left|VBN in|IN black|NN and|CC white|JJ because|IN it|PRP was|VBD seen|VBN as|IN more|JJR “|NN natural|JJ ”|NN .|. 
Above|IN all|DT ,|, it|PRP is|VBZ believed|VBN that|IN the|DT expanse|NN of|IN literacy|NN and|CC the|DT printed|JJ word|NN ,|, mainly|RB the|DT newspaper|NN ,|, had|VBD a|DT profound|JJ effect|NN in|IN influencing|VBG the|DT choice|NN of|IN black|NN and|CC white|JJ .|. 
“|NN This|DT world|NN was|VBD viewed|VBN as|IN orderly|JJ and|CC relatively|RB uniform|NN ,|, a|DT world|NN in|IN “|NN black|NN and|CC white|JJ ”|NN 
.|. This|DT led|VBN to|TO the|DT idea|NN of|IN writing|VBG =|SYM rationality|NN =|SYM production|NN that|WDT confined|VBN images|NNS ,|, especially|RB images|NNS in|IN color|NN ,|, to|TO the|DT emerging|VBG field|NN of|IN “|NN art|NN ”|NN ,|, which|WDT was|VBD understood|VBN as|IN an|DT essential|JJ activity|NN but|CC one|CD that|WDT was|VBD essentially|RB unproductive|JJ ,|, while|IN it|PRP assigned|VBN to|TO the|DT two-toned|JJ and|CC orderly|JJ world|NN of|IN printed|VBN paper|NN the|DT role|NN of|IN a|DT daily|JJ guide|NN to|TO existence|NN ”|NN 
(|( The|DT Style|NN Engine|NNP ,|, p.|NN 42|CD )|) .|. The|DT world|NN of|IN print|NN was|VBD therefore|RB seen|VBN as|IN something|NN serious|JJ for|IN the|DT modern|JJ man|NN .|. 

Black|NNP and|CC white|NN became|VBD a|DT symbol|NN for|IN the|DT superiority|NN of|IN man|NN ’|NN s|VBZ intellect|NN and|CC technology|NN .|. 
This|DT then|RB translated|VBN down|RB into|IN the|DT world|NN of|IN fashion|NN ,|, as|IN seen|VBN with|IN the|DT distinction|NN between|IN black|NN and|CC white|JJ clothing|NN ,|, as|RB well|RB as|IN art|NN ,|, namely|RB photography|NN but|CC also|RB film|NN and|CC as|IN discussed|VBN before|IN architecture|NN and|CC gallery|NN space|NN .|. 

Seeing|VBG as|IN since|IN the|DT time|NN of|IN Aristotle|NNP ,|, form|NN was|VBD valued|VBN over|IN that|DT of|IN color|NN ,|, the|DT arts|NNS which|WDT did|VBD not|RB require|VB color|NN to|TO be|VB enjoyed|VBN were|VBD perceived|VBN to|TO be|VB that|IN of|IN a|DT higher|JJR form|NN .|. 
The|DT explosion|NN of|IN mass|NN production|NN and|CC printing|NN allowed|VBN for|IN a|DT plethora|NN of|IN colorful|JJ advertising|NN and|CC consumer|NN goods|NNS which|WDT came|VBD to|TO be|VB known|VBN as|IN kitsch|NN .|. 
“|NN Kitsch|NNP is|VBZ a|DT product|NN of|IN the|DT industrial|JJ revolution|NN which|WDT urbanized|JJ the|DT masses|NNS of|IN Western|NNP Europe|NNP and|CC America|NNP and|CC established|VBN what|WP is|VBZ called|VBN universal|JJ literacy|NN ”|NN 
(|( Greenberg|NNP )|) .|. In|IN order|NN to|TO meet|VB the|DT demand|NN of|IN mass|NN markets|NNS cheap|JJ and|CC bright|JJ things|NNS of|IN little|JJ use|NN were|VBD made|VBN to|TO attract|VB the|DT attention|NN of|IN consumers|NNS .|. 
Kitsch|NNP made|VBD cheap|JJ what|WP once|RB was|VBD truly|RB cultural|JJ by|IN the|DT way|NN it|PRP reproduced|VBD it|PRP d|SYM infinitum|NN .|. 
Greenberg|NNP continues|VBZ by|IN saying|VBG ,|, “|NN Kitsch|NNP ,|, using|VBG for|IN raw|JJ material|NN the|DT debased|JJ and|CC academicized|JJ simulacra|NN of|IN genuine|JJ culture|NN ,|, welcomes|VBZ and|CC cultivates|VBZ this|DT insensibility|NN .|. 
It|PRP is|VBZ the|DT source|NN of|IN its|PRP$ profits|NNS .|. Kitsch|NNP is|VBZ mechanical|JJ and|CC operates|VBZ by|IN formulas|NNS .|. 
Kitsch|NNP is|VBZ vicarious|JJ experience|NN and|CC faked|VBD sensations|NNS .|. 
Kitsch|NNP changes|NNS according|VBG to|TO style|NN ,|, but|CC remains|VBZ always|RB the|DT same|JJ .|. 
Kitsch|NNP is|VBZ the|DT epitome|NN of|IN all|DT that|WDT is|VBZ spurious|JJ in|IN the|DT life|NN of|IN our|PRP$ times|NNS .|. 
Kitsch|NNP pretends|NNS to|TO demand|VB nothing|NN of|IN its|PRP$ customers|NNS except|IN their|PRP$ money|NN --|: not|RB even|RB their|PRP$ time|NN ”|NN .|. 
With|IN the|DT advent|NN of|IN kitsch|NN came|VBD a|DT great|JJ need|NN for|IN the|DT distinction|NN between|IN higher|JJR and|CC lower|JJR artforms|NNS .|. 
Avant|NNP guard|NN at|IN the|DT time|NN was|VBD considered|VBN to|TO be|VB true|JJ art|NN ,|, while|IN this|DT kitsch|NN was|VBD simply|RB pure|JJ imitation|NN .|. 

Thus|RB said|VBD ,|, this|DT along|IN with|IN the|DT influence|NN of|IN black|NN and|CC white|JJ print|NN perhaps|RB was|VBD the|DT cause|NN for|IN the|DT belief|NN that|IN which|WDT was|VBD black|NN and|CC white|NN was|VBD deemed|VBN a|DT serious|JJ ,|, high|JJ art|NN ,|, while|IN that|DT which|WDT was|VBD colorful|JJ was|VBD mere|JJ rubbish|NN and|CC imitation|NN for|IN the|DT lower|JJR classes|NNS .|. 
Of|IN course|NN during|IN the|DT early|JJ stages|NNS of|IN color|NN film|NN and|CC photography|NN ,|, the|DT quality|NN was|VBD so|RB poor|JJ that|IN it|PRP gave|VBD a|DT cheap|JJ look|NN ,|, whereas|IN black|NN and|CC white|JJ film|NN really|RB allowed|VBD one|CD to|TO see|VB the|DT light|JJ and|CC the|DT shadows|NNS in|IN the|DT images|NNS .|. 
For|IN the|DT play|NN of|IN light|NN and|CC form|NN was|VBD key|JJ in|IN demonstrating|VBG the|DT true|JJ art|NN form|NN .|. 
That|DT was|VBD what|WP made|VBD up|RP the|DT essence|NN of|IN an|DT image|NN ,|, not|RB the|DT artificial|NN ,|, or|CC superficial|JJ filling|NN in|IN of|IN form|NN with|IN color|NN .|. 
Color|NNP was|VBD thought|VBN to|TO distract|VB the|DT viewer|NN from|IN the|DT soul|NN of|IN the|DT image|NN .|. 

These|DT beliefs|NNS have|VBP changed|VBN since|IN color|NN technology|NN as|IN tweeked|JJ to|TO the|DT point|NN of|IN being|VBG almost|RB better|JJR than|IN reality|NN .|. 
Still|RB though|IN black|NN and|CC white|NN is|VBZ seen|VBN as|IN something|NN of|IN a|DT more|RBR sober|JJ tradition|NN .|. 
Photographers|NNP still|RB use|NN black|NN and|CC white|JJ and|CC white|NN is|VBZ still|RB the|DT most|RBS widely|RB used|VBN color|NN for|IN walls|NNS within|IN gallery|NN spaces|NNS .|. 
These|DT non|NN colors|NNS allow|VBP for|IN the|DT appreciation|NN of|IN color|NN .|. 
When|WRB something|NN is|VBZ black|NN and|CC white|JJ ,|, it|PRP allows|VBZ the|DT mind|NN to|TO fill|VB in|IN and|CC imagine|VB for|IN itself|PRP the|DT amazing|JJ colors|NNS that|WDT must|MD exist|VB beyond|IN the|DT screen|NN .|. 
Many|JJ actually|RB complained|VBD with|IN the|DT invention|NN of|IN color|NN in|IN movies|NNS that|IN this|DT stunted|VBN the|DT mind|NN since|IN one|CD was|VBD forced|VBN to|TO look|VB at|IN the|DT garish|NN colors|NNS placed|VBN before|IN them|PRP .|. 
It|PRP is|VBZ for|IN this|DT reason|NN that|IN ultimately|RB the|DT use|NN of|IN black|NN and|CC white|NN is|VBZ seen|VBN as|IN more|JJR of|IN an|DT intellectual|JJ process|NN .|. 
It|PRP forces|VBZ one|CD to|TO imagine|VB ,|, it|PRP forces|NNS one|CD to|TO delve|NN into|IN the|DT core|NN of|IN the|DT object|NN .|. 
Whether|IN it|PRP mean|VBP going|VBG beyond|IN the|DT mind|NN or|CC simply|RB the|DT purity|NN of|IN non|NN color|NN ,|, the|DT use|NN of|IN black|NN and|CC white|NN has|VBZ been|VBN debated|VBN over|IN for|IN the|DT last|JJ hundred|CD years|NNS .|. 
Now|RB we|PRP have|VBP entered|VBN an|DT era|NN where|WRB we|PRP are|VBP seeing|VBG once|RB again|RB more|JJR color|NN ,|, but|CC perhaps|RB it|PRP is|VBZ human|JJ instinct|NN ,|, to|TO want|VB to|TO surpass|VB and|CC rebel|NN against|IN generations|NNS before|RB ,|, so|RB possibly|RB we|PRP shall|MD return|VB to|TO a|DT state|NN of|IN non|NN color|NN veneration|NN .|. 
Thus|RB is|VBZ the|DT ebb|NN and|CC flow|NN of|IN life|NN .|. 

