The Energy Theory of Color

A google search of energy+theory+of+color on 11.21.2025 brought up the below AI-generated description. Impressed by the description, I am posting it below, having noticed that later that same day the exact same search got a different result that was disappointing.

Google-sponsored AI description:

The energy theory of color is an approach to understanding color as a phenomenon of light, energy, and perception, which can be explored through scientific and artistic lenses. It asserts that colors are the result of different wavelengths and frequencies of light energy, and that our perception of color is not just about individual wavelengths but also about the energy relationships between colors and how our brains interpret them. This theory is a collaborative project between artist Matt Brown and psychologist Ming Meng, who emphasize visual perception as a process of assessing energy relationships. 

Scientific basis

• Light is energy: Color is light, and light is a form of electromagnetic radiation with specific frequencies and wavelengths.
• Wavelength and energy: Different colors have different wavelengths and energy levels. Red light has a longer wavelength and lower energy, while violet light has a shorter wavelength and higher energy.
• How we see color: An object appears to be a certain color because it absorbs some wavelengths of light and reflects others. For example, a red apple absorbs most colors but reflects red light back to our eyes. 

Perceptual and psychological aspects

• Energy relationships: The way we perceive a color is influenced by the colors surrounding it. For instance, the same color can appear different in a red room versus a blue room.
• Dynamic and relative: Color is not a static property but is a dynamic and relational phenomenon that is constantly changing based on light conditions and other colors.
• Brain's role: Our brains play a crucial role in interpreting color by considering relational information, such as clues related to light sources and other visual data, in a process called color constancy.
• Emotional and physical responses: The "energy" of a color can influence emotions and even physical states, leading to associations with feelings like warmth, coolness, dynamism, or calmness. 

The collaborative project

• Artist and scientist: The Energy Theory of Color is a project by artist Matt Brown and psychology professor Ming Meng, combining artistic and scientific perspectives on how we see color.
• Emphasis on perception: The theory focuses on how our visual perception is an active process of assessing and interpreting energy relationships in our environment.