New York Daily Photo Analytics

Friday, April 23, 2010

Rhapsody in Blue


Have you ever tried to hide an obsession? Perhaps a strong color preference where, when asked for a color suggestion, you feign to weigh and carefully consider options, but as long as it can even be vaguely justified, your choice is always that special favorite color?
Of course, these maneuvers will become transparent to close friends and family. See my story here - White by Design.

Years ago, I had a friend who was a distributor for my products and accompanied me to trade fairs. When discussing colors for products, I would inevitably suggest turquoise blue, often just using color examples to avoid my obvious preference for blue. To no avail - he saw through me like blue-colored glass. Finally, in frustration, he suggested, "Why don't you buy a house and paint the whole thing turquoise blue?"

I am happy to learn that George Gershwin was not only a Brooklyn-born native New Yorker, but that the title of his composition, originally American Rhapsody, was changed to Rhapsody in Blue. This highly effusive piece of music was used by Woody Allen in the opening sequence to his film Manhattan - see my story Connections here.

For those fellow lovers of turquoise blue, I am pleased to know that Pantone, the global authority on color and provider of professional color standards for the design industries, announced:

PANTONE® 15-5519 Turquoise, an inviting, luminous hue, as the color of the year for 2010. Combining the serene qualities of blue and the invigorating aspects of green, Turquoise evokes thoughts of soothing, tropical waters and a languorous, effective escape from the everyday troubles of the world, while at the same time restoring our sense of well being.

In 1999, Pantone announced Cerulean Blue as the Color of the Millennium. And, interestingly, Pantone, Inc. founder Lawrence Herbert is also from New York.

I am far from alone in my love of blue - according to Pantone, blue is the favorite color of 35% of the American public. The official colors for New York City are orange and blue - coincidentally, the color of the Empire State Building the night the photo was taken was orange.

Regardless of shade, and whether an official New York City color, musical composition, NYPD uniform, or Pantone Color of the Year or the Millennium, even the sky reflects that for many of us, New York is a Rhapsody in Blue :)

14 comments:

Terry at Blue Kitchen said...

Three things, Brian. First, beautiful photo! Second, I'm right there with you on the color blue. It is absolutely my favorite. And finally, your mention of Rhapsody in Blue and the movie Manhattan sent me straight to YouTube to find the opening sequence. Just as wonderful as I remembered it. Thanks! Here's the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyaj2P-dSi8

NYfan said...

WOW!!! This is THE moment for goosebumps!!! Thank you very, very much, Brian!!

An Honest Man said...

There is a small problem for some of us. I frequently argue with my wife whether a particular hue is blue or green or bluey green or greeny blue.

Colour is in the eye of the beholder:-)

That being said, I do like blue/green/......

Kathy said...

Beautiful photo! I visit your blog often and love the way you tie a story in with the photo!

Hilda said...

:) I thoroughly enjoyed your discussion about the color blue. For many years, I was the graphic designer for a university whose school color was royal blue, and I have to say that I was mighty sick of it by the time I ended my stint! Turquoise blue sounds much more preferable.

Lovely night shot.

Oh, and you might like Fabrizio's Torino DP. His Torino is always blue.

T. Becque said...

I love it! And I too like blue.

Unknown said...

Blue (turquoise or similar light blue shade)is my favorite color too. It has always looked so good on me. My mother told me that my color was brown. I heartily disagreed.

Mary said...

I love the photo and the blog. Blue is my favorite color.

NYfan said...

May I ask you a question, Brian? From which street did you take THIS PHOTO??

Busi said...

I agree with the blue color. If one day you don't know what color you should wear, or if you are not in the colorful mood but you don't want to go all black. You just go with the blue, its perfect.

You know how when you're looking at the sea, all blue, all peaceful...

AND beautiful pic

Brian Dubé said...

An Honest Man - That blue/green thing is a nightmare.
Kathy, Hilda, T. Beque - Thanks
Mary - I am not a brown fan at all.
NYfan - On Christopher Street near Village Cigar (7th Ave. South). There is a subway entrance and from there you can see the Empire State Building.

Kenon Thompson said...

I guess that makes me part of the 35% of Americans whose favorite color is blue! I love this picture, just gives me all the more drive to make my first trip and live in New York City that much more exciting for me.

NYfan said...

Thanks, Brian!!

Gunn said...

just SUPERB!