Visual analyses on the white concept

The present study is composed of 3 parts. In the first part, color perception and the concept of white were addressed; and the color-concept relation was examined in a social dimension. The color perception in sub-conscious was addressed in the cultural dimension.The second part is about the historical process that the color white underwent in terms of plastic arts and artists. In this part, white is examined under three titles: white as a romantic expression, the effect of emptiness and minimalist effect of white, monochromic usage of white. The works of the following artists on the color white were also cited: William Turner, Claude Monet, Turan Erol, Teheodore Gericault, Paplo Piccasso, Kazimir Malevich, Robert Ryman, Robert Rauschenberg, Adnan Turani, Atilla İlkyaz and Mübin Orhon.The third part includes related art productions, their analyses and conclusion.The present study is about the minimal expression of white as an abstract emptiness by artists, their approach towards white which questions this color as plastic and concept; and its importance in the social dimension.In the current study, it is aimed to present new expression types for white which are alternatives to white's situation in today's art while explaining the white concept in social perception and expression opportunities of white in plastic area. This study is limited to the works of artists who created works about white; their plastic (its monochrome and minimalist effect) assertiveness between these works and artists' subjective approach towards white. At the end of the research, despite being so little, the cultural effects of white were seen on the works of some artists; and it was seen that white was used in many of these works as a toning element of the composition. It was concluded as a result of works' analyses and interviews with artists that this variety in artists' productions also made the emotional expression of white possible. It was observed that there is a restriction between white's conceptual value and its relation with white in plastic terms. On the other hand, the importance of white's conceptual expression was seen on the transformation of white transferred on the canvas by the artist into social perception. Even though the artist used white in plastic terms, the effect of white on canvas becomes rich with the social perception it created on the receiver. It strengthens this phenomenon with today's art which is included in the cultural structure of the society we live in.White conceptually exists in the social perception with the society's cultural structure. Thus, we encounter white, which takes place in the perception of human who is fed by the society where he lives, with the concepts of favor, innocence and eternity as well as the concepts of birth, marriage and death as a part of the life circle. In the application studies which are conducted on the basis of this situation, white in plastic terms and the existence of its perception on canvas on its own were analyzed. Tons of white were revealed and white's conceptual side were tried to be stressed by using the bandage for presenting this situation. The importance of this situation in the culture where we live in terms of social perception was expressed.Key Words:1. Fine Arts2. Color3. White4. The concept of white5. Plastic arts