Klein Blue

Klein Blue, also known as IKB (International Klein Blue) was created by Yves Klein in collaboration with Edouard Adam. Klein Blue heavily relies on the colour Ultramarine, however Klein Blue has a uniqueness which doesn't derive from Ultramarine but the way in which the colour was created; through the matte, synthetic resin binder where the colour is suspended. This process allows the pigmentation of IKB to maintain its intense original colour. This process juxtaposes to the making of Ultramarine which involves grinding lapis lazuli into a powder. Ultramarine was known for being the finest and most expensive hues of blue used by Renaissance painters. And was often used for the robes of the Virgin Mary, as a symbolism of holiness and humility. It remained an extremely expensive pigment until a synthetic ultramarine was invented in 1826. Yves Klein considered that his "colour had a quality close to pure space and he associated it with immaterial values beyond what can be seen or touched". Klein Blue is a rich and suggestive colour, possibly seen as an attempt to free oneself from their imposed mines, as Klein believe that the "lines in pictures were a form of "prison grating," and only colour offered the path to freedom". Personally, the rich shade of ultramarine which Klein made his own, is striking and bold, almost an energy source with it's electrifying hue. The colour is almost prestigious relating to the contextual value of Ultramarine, and it's striking pigmentation underlies its rarity, one of the reasons why it's one of my favourite colours.  

Illustrator and Graphic Designer Ellie Andrews’ word is as bold as it is distinctive, partly due to her repetitious use of the shade of Blue, that being Klein Blue. This work was displayed on 'It's nice that' and caught my attention straight away due to it's bold and powerful look. The use of blue is rather empowering and being textured into the background of the black square bring the colour to life, as it were almost fire; which links well to the overall theme of the work.

Tama Arpadi, a designer that creates everyday renders of experimentations, creates sharp exciting and eye catching 3D renders. Following him on Instagram and seeing his various work, Arpadi recently posted a design which was engulfed in the colour Klein Blue. The overall look was somewhat electrifying and intoxicating. When I asked Arpadi about why he chose this colour, he went on to explain how there was no significant meaning or reasoning  behind this piece and that he doesn't follow an agenda when creating his works; However, he then went on to explain how the colour did offer an interesting balance to his work. Arpadi then went on to describe Klein blue as one of the most powerful colour of the palette. "While it has it's own aggressive impulse at first look, it becomes such a calm colour after a couple of seconds."

In New York, 1904, The Jewish Museum was established. The museum is one of the leading cultural institutions devoting to the exploration of art and Jewish culture. Sagmeister & Walsh have recently rebranded the institute and has taken a rather contemporary up to date approach. Overall the way in which Sagmeister & Walsh approached this rebrand is so clever, the logo and pictograms were generated from using a grid that derived from the characteristics of the ‘sacred geometry’, an ancient geometric system from which the Star of David. The use of Klein Blue, although rather powerful and bright, links to the association to the Jewish Religion and the Flag of Israel. Overall, the rebrand conveys the traditions of Jewish culture in a new refreshing contemporary style being “intellectually engaging, educational and provocative.”

I chose to look at this design because the use of Klein Blue here was rather interesting. Most of the designs that I have looked at use Klein Blue as their fundamental pivotal colour choice. However with this design, I feel the use of Klein Blue here heavily accentuates the colours green and red. Brushing upon the knowledge and findings of Josef Albers, I feel that this collaboration of Red, green and Blue along with Black and White, creates a striking and popping final outcome. The overlaying and overhanging along with the use of contrasting colours creates a form of depth, and the illusion that the circles and hot dogs are levitating in the design.

Aloa Input, a Munich based three-piece band, comprised of Florian Kreier (vocals/bass, aka Angela Aux), Cico Beck (drums/electronics; aka Joasihno & live member of The Notwist and Ms. John Soda), and Marcus Grassl (guitar/vocals). The combination of all these instruments produces a relaxing, concordant piece which offers low static sounds. The clashing of the colours of Red and Klein blue and distortion of lettering and dots offer an interesting form of movement, being a parallel to the relation of the band's music genre. The clash of the bright red and klein blue offers a form of static energy, and further emphasises the brightness and boldness of Klein Blue. Overall the outcome is exciting and energetic and to some extent although rather harsh on the eyes at first becomes a rather relaxing and tantalising design.

 The website design consists of Klein Blue as it’s main homepage. The overall look is striking and rather alienating in comparison to you traditional website. The use of the blue hue becomes somewhat immersive and hypnotic and the 3D vectors further add to the experience of this ‘other world’. The colour itself is rather replete, however one thing that makes this overall experience work is the use of an off white colour for the typeface, if the designer were to have used white the colour clashes would have been to much for the viewer and become an eyesore.