Soaking in Sindroms magazine’s yellow dreamscapes
How does yellow make you feel? It’s the colour of happiness, bright and cheerful; it’s the hue of emojis, rubber ducks and junk food. But it also evokes jealousy, and can be associated with anxiety. Mapping out “monochrome states of mind”, Sindroms is a Copenhagen-based magazine exploring the emotions and cultural perceptions of different colours. Yellow is the focus of their second edition, which follows the passionate and fiery red.
Intensely visual and utterly immersive, reading the yellow issue is like diving into a pool of golden creme brulee. Part magazine, part design object, the still life images and evocative writing will draw you into their glistening wonderland, plunging you into different moods, feelings, and new perspectives. Read on for editor Monique Schröder’s guide to the issue.
1. The in-between of a traffic light
This piece is special to us not only because it’s connected to our cover image by one of our favourite image makers — Swedish duo Carl and Evelina Kleiner — but also because it represents what we want Sindroms to be, in terms of aesthetics and visual direction, as well as overall editorial scope.
Looking at yellow from a highly conceptual point of view, we’d like our readers to be immersed into our way of looking at the world. Even though our personal journeys are different, questioning the essence of life and pondering upon which path we should choose is universal, no matter how you grew up or what cultural background you carry. After all, we all experience the similar chapters of life through different motivations or incentives.
2. Alone. But Not: a visual essay on the inner self
It’s such an honour to have photographer Michael Rygaard and stylist Denis Bjerregaard’s poetic visual interpretation of the inner self in this issue. Their take on the world combining fashion photography with still life complements Sindroms’ vision perfectly — the topic of happiness with solitude and innocence being the drive. I would have never thought that I would love the look of asparagus in a glass that much, but I’m (still) in awe!
3. On the pressure of being happy
For us, it’s important to highlight all aspects of one colour in relation to our current state of mind. Contrary to yellow’s widespread association with happiness, this piece highlights what society imposes on us, and what consequences it can have in our everyday life. It’s a reminder to ourselves that striving for happiness is a great concept but limits us in our understanding of the world or the way we move forward through not-so-happy experiences.
3. Exploring Zsofia Kollar’s work with blond hair
In the Yellow Sindrom, we wanted to present Zsofia’s take on natural blond hair as a material, and how it can be transformed into a functional art piece. Everybody likes human hair as long as it is on their own heads, but when you see it in an external application, everybody finds it disgusting. I had the exact same starting point when I saw her piece at an exhibition in London, but it quickly turned into pure fascination. The human body is wild!
4. Cheesy Episodes
You might think that we only touch upon serious and heavy topics throughout the magazine. While you definitely have the chance to ask yourself the big questions in life, there’s also room to not take yourself too seriously — it is a balance we need in life in general. ‘Cheesy Episodes’ is a collection of all things cheesy, from name tattoos to Celine Dione. With a little too much wine, we had a blast putting this list together. Thinking about this moment still puts a smile on my face.
5. A Taste of Yellow
Have you ever thought about what yellow actually tastes like? Think of lemons, bell peppers but also bananas, cheese or turmeric. Difficult to put into words, right? But it’s even more difficult to get a taste through print. That’s why, for this particular piece, we wanted to unfold this experience together with Sweet Sneak — the creative food studio behind the article — and hosted a Monochrome Dinner that took all hues, textures and flavours of yellow into a five-course menu setting. By the way, if you haven’t tried Szechuan flowers, you’re in for a treat.
