The 8th of May was the day that Victor Taung and Pacino Wan shared their thought provoking knowledge and journey of their industries, theatrical makeup and fashion. The first speaker Victor Taung talked about composition and meaning of traditional Chinese opera makeup. Where as Pacino Wan talks of his journey to fashion sucess.

Victor Taung is a skilled makeup artist from the renowned Hong Kong Design institute. Taung specializes in makeup. The particular makeup he was informing us about was traditional Chinese opera makeup.He touched upon the basic detail to the magnificent art looks  explaining how each detail connotes a meaning. The semiotics I found to be extremely intriguing as they are quite the juxtaposition to western cultures meanings.

 Historical characters in Chinese traditional  Opera are provided with different types of facial makeup likewise in western culture. They can reflect the identity, status, personality and appearance of the characters and therefore can intensify the artistic appeal on stage. The makeup and masks used are forms of impressionist art , types of facial makeup in Peking Opera is featured by painting brows, eyelids and jowls in various patterns such as bat,  and butterfly wing. Also, it is characterized by portraying facial expressions with exaggerated nose shapes,lips and eyes. The age can be shown by the height and exaggerated shape of "Crow's-feet". There are many traditional characters such as  "The white-faced image symbolizes wickedness and viciousness, while black-faced image stands for equity and selflessness." Due to unchangeable rules in types of facial makeup, personalities of a character with certain facial makeup can be seen from the facial colors and figures.
Even the patterns on the masks have meaning. The patterns are now seen on clothing and fashion pieces.

Color meanings.

Colors play a huge part in implying a characters identity. 

• red depicts utter devotion, loyalty, righteousness, and bravery.

•  Purple symbolizes wisdom, resourcefulness, and justice.

•  Black represents loyalty and uprightness.

•  Watery white suggests trickery and malevolence. 

• Oily white expresses self-conceited and domineering character.

•  Blue implies unyielding and intrepid personality.

•  Green brings out a chivalrous nature.

•  Yellow stands for cruelty and ferocity.

•  Aged red reflects loyalty and bravery of virtuous and prestigious old generals. 

• Tile grey delineates an aged fierce and ambitious person.

•  Colors of gold and silver are mostly applied to gods, Buddha, ghosts and monsters, to elicit a sense of fantasy from gold faces and bodies.

The concept that put me in deep thought was colour symbolism to different cultures. In this case the culture of color symbolism will be china. I see colour as a language. One color can signify  a lot about a person, or country. Colours are used to communicate meanings to the masses. How we choose to decode that message is up to us. What also intrigues me is how do we decide to decode it. This is formed of several factors; culture,hierarchy,historical factors and context. As a culture I feel as though we do not necessarily get to choose how we decode color we are directed from a young age as to what it means.Colors can even communicate sexuality.  Colour communicates so much it  never ceases to amaze me. Colour helps decode images, colours hold values.  Color is not as black and white excuse the pun as it might seem. Due to a selection of hues, tones, brightness of colours. These all hold different meanings. Colour has no boundaries. What fascinates me is that colour can change with time, due to fashions. As a nation we simply cannot put a meaning on a colour that the whole world understands as we all is what we do with it.

As I came to the conclusion that I could ramble on all year about color meanings therefore I am posting this video which made me consider too much!

As there was not much time during the lecture and due to my lack of understanding of the culture the lecturer could not go into much depth. As we cannot write the in Chinese it creates a barrier to research further.

Pacio Waung spoke to us about his journey to his success He spoke of how it was extremely hard to financially to support himself when first starting up. He spoke of how he designed pieces for women that allow women to play with their persona. His designs were quirky and playful.

To further the topic of colour. I read several pieces of texts. One of which was a semiotic approach. The piece spoke of many theories to why we see color and immediately associate with certain emotions, It was said that emotions associated with a certain colour could be linked with memories, the way they are used in advertising and many more mediums of communication. When speaking about the way colours are used in advertisement the author used Hallidays window theory explain a view that colour can be seen as a language, the doer, and whats done with it. i.e red  on its own could possibly signify danger, red put on a dress can be communicated as being lively, confident, sexy or even danger. The text mentions Halle theory of distinctive features of which are saturation,modulation, value and hue. The text explains how colours can be seen as language and not just as colours.

If its purple someones gonna die.

To understand how colour is used in more depth in film I read "If its purple someones gonna die. Patti Bellatoni. The book informs its readers about how colour is used in film to inform the audience of the narrative. It gives the audience clues as to what could happen next, the characters personality. It puts over the idea of how colour can shape our perception of film. 

This book has been really helpful when analyzing film as it brings up issues I may of not considered such as emotion i.e red defying anger,energy etc.
"The red is the visual     counterpoint to the words and
music. It is his unspoken rage and mortal pain, as well as a visual
adjective ".  After reading this book I then started noticing certain traits that I may of not thought about before. Such as the lighting through out memoir of a geshia the darkness of the lighting representing poverty, the darkness representing mystery, misery and fear of the unknown. Relating to how the character Chiyo is possibly feeling at the start. Of course this is also communicated by her screams for help. 

Memoirs of a geisha.

To further my research on colours in Chinese culture I looked at chinese film. The one I watched is a popular Chinese film, that has most defiantly been westernized.  The film uses reference to colour to convey a characters personality, to set a particular mood. I have selected five images of which to discuss the use of colour symbolism in Chinese film to see how they relate to Chinese and western culture.

This first image I found to be interesting as although the colours in this image are bland I feel they reveal certain traits of a learning geisha. The black in their uniform communicating loyalty they doing as their teacher commands. The white representing fulfillment and perhaps and purity. The hair has been slicked back into a neat bun, to keep the hair off their face, perhaps communicating they are being well controlled and are there to work hard so the hair does not get in the way. The colours and dull lighting communicates the charecters in a learning environment.

This still I found to be interesting as it is one of the first encounters with the malicious Hatsuomo. She is seen draped in a fine silk bright cold red kimono. Referencing back to traditional  colour symbolism in oriental culture this could possibly communicate her utter devotion to succeeding as the most profitable geisha. In western culture a cold red communicates danger, and possibly promiscuity. Her black long straight hair creates a cold look for the character conveying her personality making her features seem more structured. Making her look striking and intimidating.She is stood in scenery which looks peaceful. Then there is this mysterious, powerful women in red almost clashing with the scenery. Causing a beautiful opposition in the image.

 Thus the first time Chiyo lays eyes on her love. This image to me portrays innocence and infatuation. the look in her eyes she looks enamored. The blue in her eyes almost looks trusting. The blue in her eyes is almost a reference to water as through out the film there are many references to her eyes being healing like water. "Water puts out fire" possibly referring to the `Woman in red` (Hatsuomo). Her dull grey clothing often associated with pessimism could be referring to Chiyos occupation being a servant. Grey can also be associated with  being intelligent within Chinese culture.  In this image her striking eyes seem to create hope and beauty to every situation.  

In this scene I noticed a dramatic color in lighting and colours used. No longer were the colours dull and dark. but light,warm,sedative and delicate, setting a calm warm feeling to this scene, no longer is the charecter left in the dark and in the shadows of others.Yellow is a warm colour and in chinese culture can be referecned to being cared for, and freedom. However what I found to be interesting is that in chinese colour a yellow ribbon can be associated with pornographic content. Which I suppose in a sense they were seen as pornographic in that culture and in that time. The colour gold can be associated with godesses and gods, which is associated with power and beauty. Chiyos mothers hair is worn long and flowing like the reference to water; retracting back to Chiyos eyes. Chiyos hair is worn tightly out of her face, perhaps indicating she is there to learn and do hard work hence why her hair is out of the face.

The lighting in this scene and the mise en scene is just perfect. The nature as scenery perhaps representing this relationship is natural the cliche it is meant to be. The warm red Chiyo is wearing possibly referring to her being loyal to her love. As it is a different red compared to the cold red worn by her competitor.  Her skin is pale and dainty representing purity and innocence. Her soft red lip against the aple skin and blossom pink cheeks creates such a delicate contrast. The cherry blossom in her sleek hair outlines her dainty look beautifully. Cherry blossom is often associated with being beautiful ad perhaps is referencing the point that Chiyo has blossomed much like the flowers on her head. The silver clip in her hair again silver is associated with gods and goddesses maybe showing she has some type of power over her love. Her hair being pulled back possibly a sign that Chiyo is holding back any thoughts or emotions that she may have. The iconic paper umbrella keeping the geshia ot of the shade to keep her skin light. But not only is the umbrella shading her it is also making the light bounce onto her making her glow. The modulation of colour used makes me think its spring season due to plants blossoming and the light is bright not dull.

This series of images intrigues me the lighting is dark and red setting a sensual mood. The cold blue lighting contrasting against the red. The lighting and magnificent costume and of course the performance. Shows transformation of the charecter, from being a servant girl, to an apprentice transforming into an intoxicating geisha. When she moves her white kimono flows down the runway like water. There is still a constant reference to water. the blue lighting blue like her unusaul eyes and of course water.Water is pure, calming and clever reflecting her personality. The way she excutes her performance is dramatic yet calming and goddess like, like the images portray she is walking with impeccable posture  she has transformed goddess to men that she has become. Her hair is no longer sleeked back into a perfect bun. It is now long flowing and free. Representing she is now a woman. Like Hallidays theory there is colour and she is making the colour come to life.(Hallidays semiotic approach to colour). Her makeup is beautiful yet not to over the top, showing that she does not need a lot of props and tonnes of makeup to look interesting she is already astonishing. She has something different to offer.