Scientist-Inspired Artist Allegedly Formulated Unprecedented Pigment, Asserting Innovation in the Art World
In a buzzing turn of events, an artist named Stuart Semple has taken it upon himself to "liberate" a new color, christening it "YOLO," far from the scientific realm at the University of California, Berkeley. The pioneering researchers claimed to have coaxed humans into seeing a color previously unseen by humans through a series of experimental laser pulses on the eye.
Enter the ever-resourceful Stuart Semple, who boldly proclaimed on his Instagram that he's bagged the most expensive paint on the planet, readily available for artists. He's churning out this elusive hue in sufficient quantities to appease the artistic masses, with a little twist; it's available for a staggering £10,000, or just £29.99 for those who fancy themselves artists.
However, here lies a hitch. The scientists at Berkeley have categorically stated that this color - let's call it Oso - doesn't align with the physics of vision, making it impossible to replicate the authentic color outside of their experiment. Austin Roorda, a key member of the Berkeley team, clarified to The Guardian that any attempt to mirror Oso would prove to be a pale imitation at best.
But Stuart Semple isn't one to shy away from a challenge. He's taken great strides to manufacture a unique paint product that aims to emulate the experience induced by the Berkeley experiment. Semple's secret sauce? A hyper-saturated blend of high-frequency pigments and optical brighteners that respond to ultraviolet light, imbuing materials with a vivid blue hue.
This is hardly Semple's first foray into the art world's color realm. In 2016, he stirred up a fuss by releasing an extraordinarily matte black paint, after the exclusive licensing of Vantablack, a coating so dark it absorbs all light, to artist Anish Kapoor. In response, Semple openly sold this paint to the public, excluding Kapoor. He's also played the color-replicant card with a super pink pigment, and has since churned out at least four iterations of his black paint in a quest to create the paint version of Vantablack.
In essence, Semple's YOLO paint is a French revue of the Oso experience, rather than a one-to-one replica of the scientific marvel itself. So, while the hue of YOLO paint may not align with Oso, its vibrant splash of color and the artistic freedom it facilitates make it a desirable commodity for those in pursuit of a colorful art experience.
Gizmodo might write about the ongoing debate between artist Stuart Semple and scientists from the University of California, Berkeley, as Semple introduces his new color, 'YOLO', in response to the university's experimental color, 'Oso'. The tech world could discuss how Semple, known for his color-related artworks, has developed a hyper-saturated paint that reacts to ultraviolet light, promising an experience similar to the Berkeley experiment. Meanwhile, science enthusiasts might find interest in the disagreement between Semple and the Berkeley team, with the scientists maintaining that any attempt to replicate Oso's characteristics is futile, while Semple continues to push the boundaries of technology and art.
