When I look at the photography in this issue, I see color splashed conspicuously across every page. With most sensory data gathered through our eyes, color defines our experience of life every day. It surrounds us unceasingly, influences our moods and decisions, and allows for unique self-expression in a myriad of ways.
For the most vibrant of them, turn to page 58 and try not to blink at Robert Clark’s photo essay on neon signs from around the state. These energetic colors, it turns out, have a deeply chemical past. Robert writes that today, neon “is colorful, inviting, and offers a sense of renewed excitement. The use of neon lighting has proven to raise attention to businesses, improve the ambiance of a location, and elevate the mood of customers.” It is unsurprising, then, that neon has played a big role in marketing over the years with iconic, vibrant signs that adorn highways and downtowns alike.
For a strikingly similar color scheme with wildly different origins and context, turn to Thornton Kirby’s article on page 64 about the underwater wonders of the coral reef. The colors of this otherworldly portion of our planet are shockingly rich and vibrant, all the more so because they are seen tempered through a blue screen that only grows thicker the deeper you go.
Artists can largely be described as the students of color, and Ben Ross — artist, Columbia native, and co-founder of Brackish — is certainly no exception. His attraction to the startling colors and patterns in birds’ feathers led to a highly successful business and national fashion sensation. I am the proud owner of one of the very first pairs of Brackish earrings sold, variations of which are now frequently spotted on celebrities across the globe.
Adornment of the home is just as much an avenue of self-expression as accessorizing oneself, and one of the most important decisions in moving into a new home is the color scheme. Charlotte and Gus Herlong have renovated an exquisite Columbia home with their personal style and design, from the inside out. Enjoy their renovation story on page 76. And for colorful recipes to enjoy in your own kitchen, flip to page 70 to learn “the art of the tart.” Having had a sample — or two — of Elizabeth Moosbrugger’s delectable creations after our photo shoot, I can assure you that each one is worth the effort and, as an added bonus, will add rich colors to the plate!
Lastly, what are sports without team colors proudly displayed on athletes’ uniforms, reflected all around them by a dazzling sea of the same color canvassing their watching fans? One could argue only two real color pairings exist in this state, and for a dose of garnet and black, turn to page 42 to read about the incredible women behind the men in the dugout — the Carolina baseball coaches’ wives who juggle balls, bats, carpool, and everything in between.
I hope you enjoy the colors on each and every page, curated just for you.
Sincerely,
Margaret Clay
