“Horror Hues” began as an investigation into the usage of primary color palettes in horror films: why would a genre soaked in terror use such a bright and childlike color scheme? The resulting exploration analyzes each hue of the color wheel and their symbolic uses in horror films.
Each color was researched through the collection of at least ten unique shots from various horror films. Subgenres from cheap slashers to artistic modern films were included to show the full range of each hue’s usage. Many colors first appeared to be used as simple aesthetic choices meant to grab the attention of the viewer. However, through analysis of the tones chosen for specific plot types and scenes, it was determined that each hue is consistently used for one or more specific themes such as toxicity or passion. The resulting installation seeks to fully explore these symbolic hues in the context of a color-centric horror film festival.