Jimmy Liao and The Sound of Colors

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The Sound of Colors by Jimmy Liao is a visionary journey into a whole new way to look at the world.S IT POSSIBLE we all share the same exact vision, or is that an illusion?  Current science reports that what we 'see' is actually our brain's interpretation of the random energy, or photons, that reaches the somewhat-specialized cells in our retinas.  Personally, I've always been fascinated with the infinite possibilities we all have to experience unique perspectives of color and form.

By some odd miracle, we achieve vision through a combination of these random photons, retina cells and the nerve endings in our brains.  The more scientists probe this formula, the more apparent it is that imagination plays a huge role in what we see.

Scientific American recently published an article on
I love Matthew's arrangements so much -- but are Matthew and I seeing the same thing? bird's visual abilities.  As one of the most visually-equipped species, birds put human vision to shame.  A bird looking at Matthew's simplest floral arrangements would see infinitely more than me, Matthew, or any human alive.  But for all of that, bird retinal cells only come in a handful of generalized types, pretty much the same as humans.  It seems our lens on the world has very little to go on.

Or is that really the case?  If our vision really is a product of our imaginations, what role does light, or the retinal cells play?  What role could other stimuli play?  For example, what would a musician say about the colors of sound?  Or a picture-book writer, for that matter?

Jimmy Liao and The Sound of Colors

Jimmy Liao is an artist who defiantly sees with more than just his retina.  And in his book, The Sound of Colors (Little, Brown, 2006), he takes us on a journey into the colors of the imagination.

Liao's book is an imaginative journey
All aboard for a trip into a child's mind! (is it a coincidence, or could it be possible that Jimmy and I have the same tablecloth...) in the day in the life of a blind girl.  We enter into her reality as she descends into the underground subway system and passes through one magical world after another.  Liao knows that, even without the ability to see the static shapes and colors of the external world, the imagination still functions to create a vivid reality, just as authentic as the computer screen you are looking at right now.

If imagining how other people see is so fascinating, then imagining a visual world from the perspective of a blind person is even more so. 

In Liao's journey, the blind girl's vision is not limited by walls and space, but imaginatively sees below the surface, as well as what is in front of her face.  I love the girl's perspective of what is 'hidden' — whether it is the magical mechanics behind a wall, or the vision of what is to come.

"Listen! Far ahead, at the end of the tunnel,

can you hear it?

A butterfly is flapping her wings.

I can feel the wind she makes

brushing against my face."

Liao's poetic prose, translated from Chinese by Little, Brown, and Company, beautifully compliments the artwork, and creates yet another doorway into the world of our heroine.  I'm excited that The Sound of Colors is one of many — over 20 — picture books by this author, and I can't wait to explore more.  Liao has had success as an artist, a filmmaker, and, like me, worked in the mass-communications field before dedicating his talents to children's literature.

As an artist and writer moving in this direction myself, I'm very inspired by Jimmy Liao's work, and his dedication to his career.  Like so many of the artists who pursue their passions with all their hearts, his life is full of magic in a way that we all deserve to experience.  And, finally I'm personally very thankful to him for his dedication to creating "work that can brighten the lives of others."

Comments

[matthew]

I've heard that when we look at an object, the color of the object is the very first element we see.

As for me, color scheme is very important when I create floral arrangements. It may change the whole concept of the design.

I like this book by Limmy Liao,too! It's full of colors and inspiration.

And, of course, your work is my inspiration when I design flowers!!!

[Kevin Woodson]

Hi Matthew,

I am surrounded by all your flowers, and I love it so much! I hope to continue to fill your life with inspiration and love.