A case for Klein Blue

International Klein Blue (IKB) is a deep blue hue first mixed by the French artist Yves Klein.

This iconic paint color was developed by Yves Klein as part of his search for colors which best represented the concepts he wished to convey as an artist. IKB was developed by Klein and chemists at the French pharmaceutical company Rhône Poulenc to have the same color brightness and intensity as dry pigments, which it achieves by suspending dry pigment in polyvinyl acetate, a synthetic resin otherwise marketed in France at the time by Rhône Poulenc as Rhodopas M or M60A.

In May 1960, Klein deposited a Soleau envelope [patent], registering his paint formulation under the name International Klein Blue (IKB) at the Institut national de la propriété industrielle. The patent was published in April 1961.*

Klein’s determination to see his own unique vision realized is a powerful reminder that a creative must stop at nothing to see his vision expressed in the manner in which he perceives it in his mind’s eye. If what you need to see your ideas through doesn’t exist yet – invent it.

 

W.K.2014

[*source: wikipedia]