Wikipedia sourced definition of POLKA DOTS:
Polka dot is a pattern consisting of an array of filled circles, generall equally sized and spaced relatively closely in relation to their diameters. Polka dots are most commonly seen on childrens clothing, toys and furniture, but they appear in a wide array of contexts. The pattern rarely appears in formal contexts, however, and is generally confined to more playful attire such as bathing suits and lingerie. Occasionally, white-on-black small dots appear on more formal clothing.
A slide show essay by Stuart Judde 2010:
Stewart, Judde (2010). "Seeing spots: From lepers to paranoia, the twisted history of the polka dot"
http://www.slate.com/id/2266177/slideshow/2266195/
Some of the main points that Judde talks about are as follows:
- Polka dots in the modern day are seen as a cheerful pattern, fashion has began to use patterns such as the sailor stripes and polka dots to bring back an era into fashion.
- In the 1950's Polka dots were seen as optimistic, prosperous and very energetic. They also suggested simplicity, childhood and great fun!
- The true history of the Polka dot was a lot more thought about, they could be related to things such as animal pelts, warriors, and disease, and at other times throughout history they hinted at sexuality, superhuman powers, torture and paranoia.
- In medieval Europe wearing dotted fabric was a taboo and could often conote disease such as leprosy, smallpox, bubonic plague and measles. This was mainly when the dots would be irregularly spaced, unlike todays graphic, machine made Polka dots.
- In the middle ages Polka dotted patterns often marked social outcasts, dots often conoted disease whilst stripes often showed who had been barred from somewhere.
- In non-western cultures, dots conveyed magic and male potency. Bushman rock-art in Southern Africa buzzes with all kind of dotted markings such as finger dots, micro dots and finger flecs. Young tribal males are covered in small dots to show respect to the leopard which frightens goats and small animals but does not phase the young hunter.
- Between the 1590's and the 1750's the dot began to take on a new role, it was a new fashion called patching. It was where woman would stick a small patch of black clothe to their faces to cover small spots or blemishes, they began to represent true beauty until in London when the plague broke out and patching then became associated with disease.
- In the mid 18th century the Polka dot became a more refined pattern and was introduced within fashion as being clean, fresh and modern.
- The English term Polka dots came from the love of Polka music and dancing that swept east to west Europe between 1840's to 1860's.
- The Polka dot soon became a huge trend and marketers would theme almost everything in Polka dot to sell to consumers. Things such as polka curtains, polka shoes, polka hats, polka sauce and polka vests.
- The Polka dot was soon dubbed and the polka craze fizzled out, but the term polka dot stuck to the pattern that emerged from the craze.
Seeing spots:
http://www.authorsden.com/visit/viewArticle.asp?id=45498
(The information below was taken from the above article @ authorsden.com)
Polka Dots Are Back! (in the spotlight!)
Though ancient, the world definitely went “dotty” back in the 50s and 60s for polka dots. Now they are back really big (or small). Have you ever wondered where the name for these dramatic dots came from? It is believed that it came from the Polish polka dance. There were polka hats, jackets and even gauze at the time of the dance craze. Dots were a big hit and a common pattern on clothing in mid to late 19th century, at the same time polka music and the dance were invented. Dots and the dance became all the rage and, consequently, we have the name, Polka, coming from the Polish word “pulka,” meaning half-step, as in the dance. Perhaps the delightful dance that takes one around in circles was its inspiration, but no matter, the dots have made an indelible smash on all kinds of fashion and ware.
Defined as a pattern consisting of dots of any arrangement or design, they appeared on clothes, dinnerware, accessories, curtains, toys, pop art, and just about anything in the 50s and 60s.
I believe though that the most famous polka dots came in the form of a song by Brian Hyland in 1960: the famous “Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini.” That girl may have been afraid to step out in public, but the pattern has not!
The 50s and 60s people, and designers, took these wonderful dots to heart. Who can forget the I Love Lucy type polka dot dresses? One of the most popular and expensive forms of polka dots came on Bakelite jewelry. Some of the most coveted and popular polka dot items are Bakelite bangles. These can vary in price up to $400+. “There are 4 dot, 6 dotand 8 dot bracelets. Once in a while you get a 5 dot one. Compared to the number of other bangles, there are not as many dots as plain ones. I guess this is one of the reasons that people like them. Good domed ones are the ones you want to collect.They seem to be worth more than the bangles that are flat,” says Susannah of her Ebay bangles. This makes them a design favorite of many probably because fewer were made and the pattern is so loved.
Kitchenware in dots was also very popular, and several companies heeded to the people’s demands. Pyrex was one of the companies that made bowl sets in dots. People have loved the Fire King dotted bowls for years. You can still find them at shows or on auction sites like Ebay. They are a bit taller than your normal bowls, and also, are nested (different sizes from large to small). The cost might be into the $80+ range for the set, but they are definitely worth it. American Bisque cookie jars immortalized the dots beautifully and with fun. They made a series of jars called the polka dot pig, polka dot cat, bear and other whimsical characters.
A famous, and sometimes rare, English ware is the TG Green Domino items. The Domino ware consists of dots and comes in many different pieces, including a toast rack,
round butter dish and a rectangular butter/cheese dish.
Particularly whimsical were the cat’s eye sunglasses/glasses in all colors of dots, and
accessories such as compacts, purses, earrings and more.
Today we can also see them on dinnerware. Both Noritake and Isaac Mizrahi have designed dinnerware with dots; in fact, Mizrahi’s is called Polka Dot. One can even see dog’s dresses in all colors of dots, if you so desire to dress your pooch. Of course, people’s clothing and accessories are also popular in this beloved pattern. So many things seem to be going retro now. If you are a pack rat like many people who collect, then get out all of your polka dot items, because you will be all the rage in the 21st century.
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Bombalurina: Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini, 1990
"Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini" is a novelty song telling the story of a shy girl wearing a revealing polka dot bikini at the beach, who in the first verse is too afraid to leave the locker where she has changed into her bikini; in the second, she has made it to the beach but sits on the sand wrapped in a blanket; and in the closing verse, she has finally gone into the ocean, but is too afraid to come out, and stays immersed in the water – despite the fact that she's "turning blue", to quote the song's lyrics – to hide herself from view. It was written by Paul Vance and Lee Pockriss and first released in June 1960 by Brian Hyland with orchestra conducted by John Dixon as "Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polkadot Bikini." Hyland's version hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 on August 8, 1960 and also made the top 10 in other countries, including #8 on the UK Singles Chart. Trudy Packer recited the phrases "One, two, three, four/Tell the people what she wore", heard at the end of each verse before the chorus; and "Stick around, we'll tell you more", heard after the first chorus and before the start of the second verse.
The Lyrics:
She was afraid to come out of the locker
She was as nervous as she could be
She was afraid to come out of the locker
She was afraid that somebody would see
One, two, three, four, tell the people what she wore
It was an itsy, bitsy, teenie, weenie, yellow polka-dot bikini
That she wore for the first time today
An itsy, bitsy, teentie, weenie, yellow polka-dot bikini
So in the locker she wanted to stay
Two, three, four, stick around we'll tell you more
She was afraid to come out in the open
And so a blanket around she wore
She was afraid to come out in the open
And so she sat bundled up on the shore
Two, three, four, tell the people what she wore
It was an itsy, bitsy, teenie, weenie, yellow polka-dot bikini
That she wore for the first time today
An itsy, bitsy, teentie, weenie, yellow polka-dot bikini
So in the blanket she wanted to stay
Two, three, four, stick around we'll tell you more
Now she is afraid to come out of the water
And I wonder what she's gonna do
Now she is afraid to come out of the water
And the poor little girl's turning blue
Two, three, four, tell the people what she wore
It was an itsy, bitsy, teenie, weenie, yellow polka-dot bikini
That she wore for the first time today
An itsy, bitsy, teentie, weenie, yellow polka-dot bikini
So in the water she wanted to stay
(From the locker to the blanket)
(From the blanket to the shore)
(From the shore to the water)
Yes, there isn't any more
She was as nervous as she could be
She was afraid to come out of the locker
She was afraid that somebody would see
One, two, three, four, tell the people what she wore
It was an itsy, bitsy, teenie, weenie, yellow polka-dot bikini
That she wore for the first time today
An itsy, bitsy, teentie, weenie, yellow polka-dot bikini
So in the locker she wanted to stay
Two, three, four, stick around we'll tell you more
She was afraid to come out in the open
And so a blanket around she wore
She was afraid to come out in the open
And so she sat bundled up on the shore
Two, three, four, tell the people what she wore
It was an itsy, bitsy, teenie, weenie, yellow polka-dot bikini
That she wore for the first time today
An itsy, bitsy, teentie, weenie, yellow polka-dot bikini
So in the blanket she wanted to stay
Two, three, four, stick around we'll tell you more
Now she is afraid to come out of the water
And I wonder what she's gonna do
Now she is afraid to come out of the water
And the poor little girl's turning blue
Two, three, four, tell the people what she wore
It was an itsy, bitsy, teenie, weenie, yellow polka-dot bikini
That she wore for the first time today
An itsy, bitsy, teentie, weenie, yellow polka-dot bikini
So in the water she wanted to stay
(From the locker to the blanket)
(From the blanket to the shore)
(From the shore to the water)
Yes, there isn't any more
(Taken from OldieLyrics.com)
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Polka Dot and nature:
- Spotted Eagle Ray
- Lady Birds
- Spotted Quoll
- Axis Deer
- Yellow Dotted Black Mole Salamander
- Dalmation
- Spotted Dolphin
- Spotted Butterfly
- Western Spotted Frog
- Spotted Cucumber Beetle
- Spotted Puffer fish
- Spotted Eel
- Goldfinch
- Guinea Fowl
- Polka Dot Plant
- Toad Lily
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Polka Dot Door, childrens programme:
The theme for the "Polka Dot Door," a five-day-a-week children's series, explained the main concept of the show "songs, stories and so much more!" Two human hosts a man and a woman led simple games, stories and songs inside a giant playhouse that had (egad!) a polka-dotted front door. Each show had a specific theme, with the stuffed toy inhabitants (including a doll and a teddy bear) made part of the action. During each show, the Polkaroo a mischievous polka-dotted kangaroo visited the two human hosts, while other guests dropped by on occassion.
Country:
CanadaLanguage:
EnglishFilming Locations:
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Polka Dot Dancing:
The polka is a lively Central European dance and also a genre of dance music familiar throughout Europe and the Americas. It originated in the middle of the 19th century in Bohemia. It is supposed that its characteristic sounds and beats were taken from easily audible noises naturally occurring in a peasant farm. Polka is still a popular genre of folk music in many European countries. You can hear it performed by folk artists in Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Croatia, Slovenia, Germany, Hungary, Austria, Italy, Ukraine, Belarus, Russia and Slovakia. Local varieties of this dance are also found in the Nordic countries, United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Latin America (especially Mexico), and in the United States. (Wikipedia)
Polka dancing in the film 'Back to the future'
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Polka Dot in the Arts:
Roy Litchenstein
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Georges Seurat
Pointillism is a technique of painting in which small, distinct dots of pure color are applied in patterns to form an image. Georges Seurat developed the technique in 1886, branching from Impressionism. The term Pointillism was first coined by art critics in the late 1880s to ridicule the works of these artists, and is now used without its earlier mocking connotation
The technique relies on the ability of the eye and mind of the viewer to blend the color spots into a fuller range of tones. It is related to Divisionism, a more technical variant of the method. Divisionism is concerned with color theory, whereas pointillism is more focused on the specific style of brushwork used to apply the paint.It is a technique with few serious practitioners today, and is notably seen in the works of Seurat, Signac and Cross. However, see also Andy Warhol's early works, and pop art.
The practice of Pointillism is in sharp contrast to the traditional methods of blending pigments on a palette. Pointillism is analogous to the four-color CMYK printing process used by some color printers and large presses that place dots of Cyan (blue), Magenta (red), Yellow, and Key (black). Televisions and computer monitors use a similar technique to represent image colors using Red, Green, and Blue (RGB) colors.
Neuroplasticity is a key element of observing any pointillistic image. While two individuals would observe the same photons reflecting from a photo-realistic image, someone whose mind has been primed with the theory of pointillism will perceive the image differently as it is interpreted in the visual cortex.
Pointillism is a technique of painting in which small, distinct dots of pure color are applied in patterns to form an image. Georges Seurat developed the technique in 1886, branching from Impressionism. The term Pointillism was first coined by art critics in the late 1880s to ridicule the works of these artists, and is now used without its earlier mocking connotation
The technique relies on the ability of the eye and mind of the viewer to blend the color spots into a fuller range of tones. It is related to Divisionism, a more technical variant of the method. Divisionism is concerned with color theory, whereas pointillism is more focused on the specific style of brushwork used to apply the paint.It is a technique with few serious practitioners today, and is notably seen in the works of Seurat, Signac and Cross. However, see also Andy Warhol's early works, and pop art.
The practice of Pointillism is in sharp contrast to the traditional methods of blending pigments on a palette. Pointillism is analogous to the four-color CMYK printing process used by some color printers and large presses that place dots of Cyan (blue), Magenta (red), Yellow, and Key (black). Televisions and computer monitors use a similar technique to represent image colors using Red, Green, and Blue (RGB) colors.
Neuroplasticity is a key element of observing any pointillistic image. While two individuals would observe the same photons reflecting from a photo-realistic image, someone whose mind has been primed with the theory of pointillism will perceive the image differently as it is interpreted in the visual cortex.
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Polka Dots in Fashion:
Polka Dots in Fashion History
Polka dots have long been appearing on runway and are used for countless goods from bikinis to bags, from bold to pastel, and from large to small size. Despite its loving admiration among fashion designers and fashion fanatics, little is known about the origin of polka dots. Though the design’s origin is still a mystery, there are three possible traces that are proposed.
It is said that when Eastern European immigrants arrived America, they brought along with them ethnic old time music and the bouncing sound that made the Americans wanted to dance. Polka performers namely as Viola Turpeinen and Frankie Yankovic trapped the people with their upbeat music and polka garments and that was where the first story of the mysterious polka dot’s origin claimed.
The second possible origin occurred when a fashion designer named Michael Kors. Frustrated and bored of the old style of simple color one-piece bathing suit, Kors, with help of a felt-tipped black marker, created a stylish yellowed tow-piece bathing suit with black dots on the sheets. And the so-called itsy-bitsy-teeny-weeny polka dot was born.
Apart from the polka performers and the yellow two-piece, the origin of polka dot in fashion history also lies in the attire of Walt Disney’s character, Minnie Mouse! Faced with a challenge in designing, Disney consulted with numerous fashion catalogues and restless meetings with his personal tailor. Eventually, he decided to innovate it himself with stripes, plaids, and check. However, when all was about to finish, an ink blot fell from his pen onto Minnie’s skirt and the problem was solved right away. Since then, Minnie Mouse got her red polka dot skirt with white dots on it.
Whether polka dot was originated by the European performers, Mr Kors, or Mr Disney, the fashion style will always continue being a favorite style among designers and fans and get reinvented as time goes by.
Polka dots have always been popular in fashion, especially during the 1950's, womens dolly dresses, bikini's and many accessories would be bound with a polka pattern. It was also a fashionable pattern for men and would be seen on shirts. As current designers look for new inspirations and ideas to set a trend they often look back at what was in fashion all those years ago and draw ideas from past eras. This is what has happened most recently with the polka dot, it is everywhere! But its not just vintage dresses and bikinis that the polka dot is hanging on to. I went into the shoe shop Schuh and found a pair of Nike high tops with polka dot detail!! The fashion world is modernising the polka dot so that another generation can enjoy them.
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One particular fashion designer that uses the polka dot within her fashion designs is British designer Cath Kidston, she is renound for her beautiful floral designs on home furnishings, clothes and accessories. Cath Kidston has used the polka dot in collabertion with her own floral designs, the complexity of her floral patterns agains the simplicity of the polka dots really works, her designs seem to have a very 1950's summer feel about them.
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Qualitative research:
As part of my polka dot research I have taken photographs of polka dot items that I own, I have then used a 10x10cm card window to count how many dots there are in this space on each item. I then measured the width of the dot and the space between each dot.
Duvet cover:
- 9 dots
- Each dot 2cm wide
- 2cm gap between each polka dot
White top:
- 50 dots
- Each dot 0.5cm in width
- 2cm gap between each dot
Jacket:
- 59 dots
- Each dot 0.5cm in width
- 2cm gap between each dot
Dress:
- 12 small dots, 0.5cm in width
- 15 medium dots, 1cm in width
- 5 big dots, 1.5cm in width
- 32 dots in total
- Random gap size
Dress 2:
- 25 dots
- Each 1cm in width
- 2cm gap between each dot
Basket:
- 15 dots
- Each dot 1cm in width
- 2cm gap between each dot
Pink polka dot bra:
- 69 dots
- Each dot 0.5cm in width
- 1cm gap between each dot
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