Painting

Teaching Albers Interaction of Color in the Decker Library

Image from Josef and Anni Albers Foundation Resources for Educators

In visual perception a color is almost never seen as it really is - as it physically is. This fact makes color the most relative medium in art. In order to use color effectively it is necessary to recognize that color deceives continually. — Josef Albers

Each year the Decker Library invites class groups and individuals to view Interaction of Color by Josef Albers. In order to facilitate use of this publication while preserving the set for future generations, we have the following policies in place:

Our complete set of Interaction of Color is stored in the Special Collections room. It is restricted for use by faculty and GTI’s with class groups. 

Faculty and GTI: Please read Care and Handling of the Albers Interaction of Color Print Set before class

Also available are: 
- Interaction of Color (reprint edition, ND1283 .A531 2009 volume 1-2) in Special Collections
- One iPad with the digital edition of Interaction of Color loaded (in the electronics storage cabinet at Access Services, "iPad Two" with barcode 10086729)

Scheduling a Group Visit

• Faculty persons please use Calendly to schedule a class visit to view Interaction of Color

• Class visits can be scheduled during hours of library operation, but not in the first or last 30 minutes of operation:
  Monday - Thursday, 11:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
  Friday, 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• Visits are hosted in the Library Classroom on the lower level, and must be requested 2 days in advance of the visit time.

• The default duration for visits is 60 minutes. Faculty may note on their request form if they would like a longer visit.

• Classes that are scheduled with Calendly appear on the Library Instruction Google calendar, and Calendly automatically sends a confirmation to the faculty member.

During the Visit

The faculty person or GRI will visit the Research Help Desk and ask the librarian to provide the following:

• Interaction of Color (1963) - in Special Collections
• Interaction of Color (2009) 2-volume reprint - in Special Collections
• iPad with Interaction of Color digital app loaded - in the electronics storage cabinet at Access Services

Seating:
Group visits will be held at tables in the Library Classroom on the lower level of the library

Handling:
Only faculty and GTI’s may handle the plates of Interaction of Color. Prior to class, please read Care and Handling of the Albers Interaction of Color Print Set.

Students are permitted to use the digital app of Interaction of Color on the iPad

Faculty are asked to maintain the numerical order of the folders and to re-insert existing interleaving sheets into each folder.

Print books on color in the library will be found in many different subject areas. Each link below goes to a listing in the Library Catalog of books within that area.

Call Number Area (Subject)
BF789.C7 (Psychology - Color)

BH301.C6 (Aesthetics; Special Topics - Color)

N7432,7 (Visual Arts Techniques, Composition, etc. - Color)

ND1488 (Painting Technique - Color)

ND 1493.A-Z (Painting Technique - Special Color Systems)

ND 1495.A-Z (Painting Technique - Special Aspects of Color)

ND1495.P8   (Painting Technique - Psychology of Color in Art)

ND1510 (Painting Materials and Methods - Pigments)

NK2115.5.C6 (Decorative Arts - Color)

NK1548 (Decorative Arts; Special Elements of Design - Color)

NX650.C676 (Arts in General; Special Subjects - Color)

QC494 (Physics - Color in General)

TP892> (Textiles - Color Dyeing)

TP910> (Dyes - Various Colors)

TR510 (Color Photography)

TR853 (Color Cinematography)

Z259 (Book Industries and Trade - Color Printing)

eBooks can be found in the Decker Library catalog to read online 24/7 without any special requirements for viewing.

Search by keyword in our Library Catalog, and narrow your search to Books, then using Filter Results By, click "Available Online" under Availability. 

When you are viewing the library catalog record for a specific eBook, follow the link under Full Text Availability. You will need to use your MICA username and password to log-in for remote access.

You can also go directly to our primary eBooks Collection database on our Find Articles & Media page. 

Selected eBooks on Color from Decker Library

Libraries and museums such as Library of Congress and Smithsonian Libraries provide many books online, in addition to photographs, graphic arts, material culture, ephemera, and more; use the links here to explore. Listed here are several examples.