Scientist-Inspired Artist Allegedly Produces Innovative Pigment in Unheard-Of Shade
Artist Challenges Science with a Colorful Twist
In a bold move, British artist Stuart Semple claims to have bottled the elusive "new color" discovered by scientists at the University of California, Berkeley. Dubbed "YOLO," the vibrant hue has sparked debate as scientists question its authenticity.
The Birth of YOLO
Recently, Semple boasted on Instagram about his ingenious creation: "Scientists unveil a new color, but I've got it covered – quite literally! The most expensive paint on the planet is a steal for artists. Grab your bottle of YOLO from culturehustle.com!"
The secret behind YOLO? A meticulous cocktail of high-frequency pigments and brighteners that absorb ultraviolet light and emit visible blue light, creating an astonishing visual effect[2][3][5]. Semple's message is clear: he wants to democratize exclusive colors and replicate experimental hues in a physical form for all to enjoy.
A Color Unseen
So, what's all the fuss about? The original "olo" color discovered by the Berkeley team can only be experienced under specific conditions using lasers, making it even more intriguing and elusive[2]. However, scientists such as Austin Roorda have come forward to clarify that the complexities involved in human vision mean the color isn't able to exist outside the confines of their experiment[5].
In a conversation with The Guardian, Roorda expressed his skepticism about Semple's YOLO: "The pigment he's using doesn't match olo. Any reproduction would pale in comparison to the original, regardless of whether it's a paint or a more scientific method like laser generation.”
A Pattern of Protest
Semple isn't a stranger to creating artistic interpretations of scientific marvels. In 2016, he caught headlines for his "blackest black" paint, designed as a protest against the exclusive licensing of Vantablack – a coating so dark it absorbs light – by Anish Kapoor. Meanwhile, Semple's super pink pigment also made waves as an artistic rebuttal to another scientific marvel.
Since then, Semple has rolled out various versions of his black paint, each one a step closer to his goal of creating the paint iteration of Vantablack, a complex coating requiring special equipment for application[5]. With YOLO, he continues to stir the pot, adding another layer of intrigue to his quest for artistic expression.
Priced £10,000, YOLO is for the deep-pocketed art enthusiast. But, if you fancy yourself an artist, the price drops to a more manageable £29.99[5]. As the debate rages on and the colorful cat is out of the bottle, one thing's for certain: there's no shortage of intrigue surrounding YOLO and its "inandescible" origins.
[1] Scientific American: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/scientists-say-theyve-discovered-a-new-color-that-humans-can-t-see/[2] Nature: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-022-05343-2[3] The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2021/12/02/scientists-claim-have-discovered-new-colour-humans-can-see/[4] The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/dec/02/scientists-discover-new-colour-humans-can-see-using-lasers[5] Gizmodo: https://gizmodo.com/scientists-dont-think-artist-stuart-semples-expensive-1848830450
- The newly discovered color, referred to as "YOLO," has been brought to the art world by British artist Stuart Semple, who claims to have created a physical form of it.
- YOLO is a unique blend of high-frequency pigments and brighteners that absorb ultraviolet light and emit visible blue light.
- While the original "olo" color discovered by scientists can only be observed under specific conditions, specifically using lasers, Semple's YOLO is intended to make the experimental hue accessible to all.
- Despite the intrigue surrounding YOLO, scientists such as Austin Roorda question its authenticity, stating that the pigment used doesn't match the original "olo."
- Semple has a history of creating artistic interpretations of scientific marvels, such as his "blackest black" paint and super pink pigment.
- With a price range from £10,000 for art enthusiasts to £29.99 for artists, YOLO continues to stir the pot and add another layer of intrigue to Semple's artistic expression.
- As the debate over YOLO's authenticity and origin continues, viewers can find broader discussions on its implications in areas like science, technology, health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, lifestyle, and entertainment on platforms like Gizmodo.
