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Anybody who has spent a lot of time studying computers knows that computers suffer from memory leaks. Lost information and *breaks* seem to be the norm with today’s technology. Could we be experiencing the same problem? What about our human memories? Could we (regardless of our age) be experiencing the same thing? Should we rely on our memories? Should we view our memories as incorruptible and as the sacred truth?

Within a computer, a “memory leak occurs when the program loses the ability to free the memory” (Wikipedia). Basically, this same phenomenon occurs with people too. For people, the older our memories are, studies have shown that our thoughts and conceptions become more and more distorted with time. Even at that, if several people observe the same situation, and for as many people, there are multiple viewpoints and memories about it.

As part of my formal education, this color theory was taught as part of the curriculum, because artists should not rely on their memories for proportions, colors, textures, and details about the objects, rooms, or scenes they attempt to recreate or design for. Our memories drop off information automatically, and we should never expect to have absolute recall of anything.

For even the simplest forms and shades of colors, our memories do not record absolute information (even moments later). Granted, there are different reasons for this. But short of getting into all the reasons, let’s just explore one scenario. An artist is painting an object set before him or her, and upon removal of the object, the artist no longer is able to accurately depict the exact colors or details about it any longer. This scenario includes only the removal of the object in question.

To test this color theory, purchase two large boxes of color crayons. Cut-out several squares of paper and have someone else color them from the same box of color crayonsyou want to have complete objectivity and eliminate knowing which colors were used. You may have to use a duplicate box of crayons so that you are not eliminating colors by measuring the tips of the used crayons. Then, have someone hold the swatch up for you to see and after the swatch is removed, try to match the shade of the color. It’s a lesson of humility if nothing else. It demonstrates how faulty our memories areeven moments later. (Revised 2/16/2006)

Debbie Jensen, Graphic Designer and Photographer http://www.debjensendesigns.com