Colorama was an art initiative designed to promote community connection and self-expression during the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The project encouraged individuals to submit colors and messages that reflect their feelings, fostering a sense of unity and resilience within the community.

The pandemic has led to increased feelings of isolation and anxiety among many individuals. As people navigated these emotional challenges, Colorama offered a creative outlet for expression. By engaging in this initiative, participants articulated their experiences through colors, contributing to a larger collective artwork that symbolizes shared emotions and memories.

Goals

1. Encouragement: Provide a platform for individuals to express their feelings and find validation during difficult times.
2. Expression: Facilitate creative self-expression through the submission of personal messages and colors.
3. Connectivity: Foster a sense of community by compiling contributions into a cohesive artwork that represents collective experiences.

Submitting colors

Participants submitted colors through a simple three-step process:

1. Pick a color: Choose a color that resonates with their message, symbolizing their emotions.
2. Write a message: Articulate thoughts or feelings related to their experiences during the pandemic.
3. Submit: Contribute the message and color to the collective artwork.

We received about 120 colors from participants.

Image creation

Once all the colors were collected, I used Python to transform images of Hong Kong to be composed solely from Colorama colors. The images selected were from the public domain.

After generating the images, I also printed, signed and distributed postcards with Colorama images to participants.

Gallery

Each pixel in every image you see below is a color contributed by a Colorama participant, with a special meaning to them.

Cheung Chau Island

Hong Kong dim sum

Lamma Island

Lion Rock

Neon Signs

Hong Kong Island

Star Ferry

The Peak

Conclusion

Colorama aimed to alleviate feelings of isolation by creating a supportive community space. The resulting artwork serves as a powerful visual representation of the community’s journey, celebrating resilience and creativity. Through this initiative, individuals were reminded of their shared identity and experiences, promoting a sense of belonging.