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Nature of Color, Color of Nature

A Colorful Exploration at Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in collaboration with Pantone

Insights
Jennifer Cohlman Bracchi, Laurie Pressman
Moderator
Ezgi Emiroglu
Film
Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
Pairing
Organic Imperial Oolong

Nature of Color, Color of Nature

New York City, Thursday, September 19, 2019 – We had the privilege of hosting an exhibition on the power of color in partnership with the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum, and our title collaborator, Pantone.

UN Sustainable Design Goals Addressed

The Event

A private tour of the Cooper Hewitt Library gave attendees a glimpse at rare books and historical treatises illustrating societal understanding of color as it has evolved over time. Attendees then took part in a viewing party of TEALEAVES documentary, Color In Sight, and a subsequent design conversation between Pantone and Cooper Hewitt, moderated by TEALEAVES Brand Manager, Ezgi Emiroglu.

The discussion delved into the evolution of color in design, the influence of nature on human color choices, and the effect of modernity on our current palettes across mediums.

With nature top of mind for so many, it makes perfect sense some of the key colors we are seeing today are coming directly from nature. Nature is a true innovator.

Laurie Pressman, Vice President of the Pantone Color Institute

The Panelists

Jennifer Cohlman Bracchi, Acting Head Librarian of Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Library

Jennifer Cohlman Bracchi is the Acting Head Librarian of Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Library, one of 21 branches of Smithsonian Libraries, and a leading repository of European and American design and decorative arts in the nation and the world. With twenty years of experience at Cooper Hewitt, Jen has a background in digital imaging and has lead numerous digital initiatives for the Museum and the Library. She curated her first exhibition Color in a New Light (February 2016 – May 2017) for Smithsonian Libraries at the National Museum of Natural History in Washington DC. She co-curated the expanded exhibition Saturated: The Allure and Science of Color (May 2018 – March 2019) for Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum with Susan Brown, Curator of Textiles. Jen enjoys exploring the intersections of art and science and providing access to as much information as possible.

Laurie Pressman, Vice President of the Pantone Color Institute

Laurie Pressman is the Vice President of the Pantone Color Institute, the world’s most comprehensive destination to gain intelligence, insight, and implications on the science and emotions of color. With over 20 years of experience in product development and merchandising for the fashion and home furnishings markets, Pressman recognizes that color is the most powerful communication tool, and as an intrinsic part of people’s immediate visual experience, it plays a significant role in consumer purchasing decisions and effective brand management. She is involved in the development of Pantone’s color research and color trend forecasting products and serves as the managing editor of TONES, Pantone’s color newsletter. Additionally, Laurie sits on the Home Products Board at Fashion Institute of Technology, the Fashion Advisory Board at Savannah College of Art and Design, and is the Vice-Chairman of the Color Standards Committee for the Color Marketing Group.

Moderated by Ezgi Emiroglu, TEALEAVES Brand Manager