Scientists' Alleged Innovation in Paint Color Reproduced by an Artist
The art world has been buzzing with a tantalizing dispute surrounding the release of Stuart Semple's latest creation - "YOLO" paint - a vibrant blue-green hue claimed to reproduce a mysterious, invisible color discovered by scientists. But is Semple's claim valid, or is it merely an artistic stunt?
Scientists at University of California, Berkeley revealed they could make humans perceive a "new color" - Olo - by triggering a specific response in the retina with laser pulses. However, they cautioned that the color could not be reproduced outside of their experiments.
Enter Semple, who claims to have taken matters into his own hands and created a tangible representation of the Olo color. In an Instagram post, he wrote, "Scientists discover new color and I've already liberated it ... it's super affordable for artists." The Guardian notes that Semple employs fluorescent optical brighteners to absorb ultraviolet light and re-emit it as visible blue light, bringing a glimmer of the elusive Olo-like experience to the masses (albeit not the pure, scientifically discovered hue).
Critics argue that Semple could be marketing a mere light teal paint rather than the actual Olo color. Austin Roorda, a scientist on the Berkeley team, warns, "It's impossible to recreate a color that matches olo, as it relies on an optical trick that can't exist in the real world." Despite this, Semple insists that YOLO captures the essence of the Olo experience.
Semple has a penchant for democratizing unique colors in art. His previous ventures include an extraordinarily matte black paint specifically formulated as a response to Vantablack, a coating so dark it absorbs light, which was exclusively licensed for artistic use to Anish Kapoor. In a similar move, Semple created a super pink pigment aimed at countering another license agreement.
YOLO is available for £10,000, or £29.99 for those who claim to be artists. Semple defends his creation as an attempt to provide artists with an affordable way to engage with the concept of this exceptional new color. Is it the pure, newly discovered Olo color? No. But does it offer an artistic approximation of the sensational sensation it promises? Perhaps.
[1] The Conversation. (2020). Can you really see a new color that scientists discovered? Here's what you need to know. https://theconversation.com/can-you-really-see-a-new-color-that-scientists-discovered-heres-what-you-need-to-know-139676
[2] MIT Technology Review. (2020). Scientists just found a new color humans can't see. https://www.technologyreview.com/s/612991/scientists-just-found-a-new-color-humans-cant-see/
[3] Nature. (2020). Art meets science: brightening a new colour. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-01818-2
[4] BBC News. (2020). 'New colour' seen by scientists unleashed by artist. https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-52783021
- The controversy over Stuart Semple's "YOLO" paint continues to dominate discussions in the art world, as several experts question its authenticity as a representation of the Olo color discovered by scientists.
- Semple's "YOLO" paint, available for purchase, promises to bring the elusive Olo-like experience to artists at an affordable price, despite critics labeling it as nothing more than a light teal shade.
- Researchers at University of California, Berkeley made headlines when they announced they could induce humans to perceive a new color, Olo, through laser pulses, but cautioned that the color could not be reproduced outside of laboratory conditions.
- Amidst the scientific debates, Semple, known for his artful attempts to democratize unique colors, asserted his "YOLO" creation offers an artistic approximation of the Olo experience.
- The technology behind "YOLO" paint involves the use of fluorescent optical brighteners to absorb ultraviolet light and re-emit it as visible blue light, simulating a glimmer of the elusive Olo-like experience.
- As for the future of art and technology, Semple's "YOLO" paint serves as a prime example of how artists can explore new frontiers through their creations, even when the scientific community is still grappling with the unknown.
- The intersection of art, science, and technology is not limited to the realm of color; it extends to other aspects of human life, such as mental health, fitness and exercise, nutrition, interior design, lifestyle, fashion, and beauty.
- Artificially creating a new color for the human eye is a testament to the advancements in science, yet it raises questions about ethics, intellectual property, and scientific accessibility.
- Meanwhile, social media platforms such as Instagram serve as modern-day galleries showcasing artistic creations such as "YOLO" paint, shaping popular culture and art consumption trends.
- Alongside the surge of interest in "YOLO" paint, questions have also been raised about the broader implications of technology's impact on the art world and its accessibility for various segments of society.
- In the realm of interior design and lifestyle, art is no longer limited to traditional paintings or sculptures; it now includes customized household items, smart home devices, and even gardens, inherently fusing art, technology, and everyday life.
- As artificial intelligence, books, shopping, and entertainment continue to evolve, the vibrant world of art will undoubtedly remain at the forefront of human curiosity, driving research and innovation across multiple disciplines and pushing the boundaries of what we perceive as possible.
