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In Pursuit of Color

For centuries of manipulating the natural world, our quest for vibrant colour has shaped cultures and industries, from ancient traditions to synthetic dyes. In In Pursuit of Color: From Fungi to Fossil Fuels: Uncovering the Origins of the World's Most Famous Dyes, anthropologist and textile artist Lauren MacDonald uncovers the hidden histories of dyeing—a craft that’s both ancient and modern.

Focusing on the art of colouring cloth, MacDonald examines how the search for colour has fueled economic rivalries, social upheaval, and environmental change. Through meticulous research, archival imagery, and compelling storytelling, she invites us to uncover the deeper meanings woven into the world’s most iconic dyes, illuminating our intricate ties to nature, our relentless push for progress, and the power dynamics that shape our world.

Author(s)/Editor(s)

Lauren MacDonald

Publisher

Atelier Éditions

Dimensions

178 x 244 mm

Pages

272 pages

Format

Hardcover, English

Year

2023

Composition

A 32-page supplement accompanies the volume, offering practical insights and the chemistry behind dyeing techniques. The book features three distinct covers—red, yellow, and blue—shipped at random for an added element of surprise.

Shipping
At Normal Phenomena of Life, we process orders once a week on Wednesday. This means that all orders placed on or before Tuesday of each week will be included in the batch for processing on the following Wednesday. Orders placed after Tuesday will be processed the following week. In Pursuit of Color is only available on NPOL in the UK. **All orders made after the 17th of December 2024 will be shipped on the 8th of January 2025.