New-York tribune., 1913-05-25
BASIS OF NEW ART.

Color Music is, roughly, the use OF
color instead Of music to affect the hu-
man emotions. It is based largely on
the relation Of light TO sound-a re-
lation that long has been guessed at out
only lately has been proven TO exist 10
remarkable degree. The wave relations
of color and sound are not only con-
nected mathematically- but have a re-
markabe similarity in their effect upon
your feelings. From the discovery or
his emotional relation was born the art
Of Color Music, which consists in making
the same appeal TO the eye through sue
tession OF colors as is made TO the ear
through a succession of sounds that form
music. BY means Of Color Music at
tempts have been made to render well
known musical compositions in their cor
responding colors
The accidental discovery by Van Dear
ing Perrine, an American artist. that un-
winding strips Of paper Of different colors
from revolving lantern awoke In him the
same exaltation that he was accustomed
to feel when listening TO his favorite
musical composition. was directly re-
spons!ble for the invention OF Color Music
In America and the construction or an
instrument for its study In England the
subject has been studied for many years
by A. Wallace Rimington, professor or
the fine arts at Kings College. London,
who has invented several complicated
Instruments by whose means he gives
color concerts" throwing upon screen
succession OF colored lights that form
what correspond to harmony. chords.
rhythm, phrasing and practically all the
suotleties Of musical composition.
In some ways England has carried the
study Of Color Music much further than
America. Professor Rimington has actu-
ally played" in color and afforded to SCI
entihc men a chance TO study and com
ment on the new art Mr.. PerTine'
On the other hand, has been preparing
himself for the production OF Color MUSIC
tdtner than the perfection OF an instru-
ment on which to perform. Professor
Huntington has written book, entitled
Color Music" 0he Frederick A. Stokes
company, in which he traces closely the
connection between sound and light ana
gives the features and possibilities OF the
new art. Mr.. Perrine for the space OF
TWO years arose at dawn In order 10
make a series Of rapid two-minute pastel
sketches Of the different phases OF sunrise
'or the purpose of studying the sequence
oi the colors. producing in all some thou
Sahos OF sketches and a number or strlK-
ing color series that have since been
widely exhibited
Before describing the work done by
'hese two inventors, however. and COM
pairing their theories in regard to color
music II will be necessary to know more
aennitely what Color Music consists OF
ana Just what is meant by the term
Professor Rimington in his book takes up
some OF the striking similarities between
Nsht and sound which have given oirtn
70 The name, Color Music. as well as 10
me art itself; and he goes into consid-
eiaole detail in explaining the close an
u'ysis that can be made Of the musicai
vtave consisting OF the seven notes.
" e. T. 6, a, band the solar spectrum
consisting, roughly, of the seven colors-
'eh orange. yellow. green, blue, indigo ana
''oist- From this similarity he has IN
'enteo the art Of playing" In color py
a..stTn nI