Everything Blue

As an art collective with roots in France, it goes without saying that we are lovers of good cuisine as much as of good art. But our favourite color, blue, and in particular International Klein Blue, would be strange to find on any plate. Why is that? Why does blue feel so weird in food, and is it always going to be that way?Toby, a member of the International Klein Blue Token Collective, was keen to explore this topic for us and produced this episode.Find us on X at @ikb_token📚 References & Further ReadingU.S. FDA approval of gardenia genipin blue: https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-gardenia-genipin-blue-color-additive-while-encouraging-faster-phase-out-fdc-red-no-3U.S. Federal Register on expanded spirulina extract uses: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/02/06/2026-02314/listing-of-color-additives-exempt-from-certification-spirulina-extractU.S. FDA on “no artificial colors” claims and related color actions: https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-takes-new-approach-no-artificial-colors-claimsU.S. FDA consumer page on color additives: https://www.fda.gov/food/food-ingredients-packaging/color-additives-information-consumersCharles Spence, “What is so unappealing about blue food and drink?”: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1878450X18300398Charles Spence, “What’s the Story With Blue Steak?”: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.638703/fullReview of natural blue food colorants: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0924224421002156Review on colors, taste, and consumer expectations: https://library.imaging.org/jpi/articles/5/0/jpi0149How food color shapes sensory expectations: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12785572/

We've been enamored by the beauty of International Klein Blue for many years, but it seems like the world of fashion has finally caught on! If you've been watching celebrity red carpets recently, including the Oscars last week, you will have noticed bold IKB-like blue colors popping up more and more. We're exploring this trend.This episode was created and produced by Jonathan, a fashionista and member of the IKB token collective, a decentralized community inspired by International Klein Blue, created in mid-2024 and federated by a blockchain token (IKB on the Solana network).Find us on X at @ikb_token📚 References & Further ReadingVogue — “How to Wear Cobalt Blue—The Electric Hue You're Suddenly Seeing Everywhere” https://www.vogue.com/article/cobalt-blue-trendVogue UK — “Cobalt Blue Is An Early Contender For The Colour…” https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/cobalt-blue-2026-trendCosmopolitan — “The Oscars Fashion Solidified the Color of the Season” https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/fashion/a70760361/the-oscars-fashion-electric-blue-trend/Marie Claire — “The Spring 2026 Trends Set to Define the Next Wave of It Bags” https://www.marieclaire.com/fashion/spring-fashion/spring-2026-bag-trends/Harper’s Bazaar — “Kim Kardashian Debuted Striking Blue Contacts at the Oscars After-Party” https://www.harpersbazaar.com/celebrity/latest/a70757020/kim-kardashian-blue-contacts-2026-oscars-after-party-red-carpet-photos/

Have you ever noticed how, of all the non-natural hair colors, blue seems to be the most common choice? That's curious. Why is that the case? We're digging into it!This episode was created and produced by Rebecca, a member of the IKB token collective, a decentralized community inspired by International Klein Blue, created in mid-2024 and federated by a blockchain token (IKB on the Solana network).Find us on X at @ikb_token

 We're doing things a bit differently today. This episode is a review of a recent book where blue weaves through the narrative.The review was created and produced by Stella, a new member of the IKB token collective. We're a decentralized community created in mid 2024 federated by a blockchain token.📚 ReferencesBlack in Blues: How a Color Tells the Story of My People, Imani Perry (Ecco/HarperCollins), 2025https://www.harpercollins.com/products/black-in-blues-imani-perry

 Did you know that blue was once more expensive than gold? It's surprisingly true! To create blue in the real world required a lot of sweat, risk, and travel. We'll be exploring that history today.This episode was created and produced by Janine, a member of the IKB token collective, a decentralized community created in mid-2024, federated by a blockchain token.📚 References & Further ReadingNational Gallery (London), “Ultramarine” — history, making, and usehttps://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/research/meaning-of-colours-in-western-art/ultramarineVictoria & Albert Museum, “Blue: Ultramarine” — materials and tradehttps://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/blue-ultramarineThe Met Museum Timeline of Art History, “Lapis Lazuli”https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/lapi/hd_lapi.htmCennino Cennini, Il Libro dell’Arte (The Craftsman’s Handbook) — classic recipes for ultramarine (English trans. excerpts)https://www.noteaccess.com/Texts/Cennini/Britannica, “Prussian blue” — discovery and propertieshttps://www.britannica.com/science/Prussian-blueMusée des Arts et Métiers / CNAM, “Ultramarine, a synthetic pigment” (history of Guimet ultramarine)https://www.arts-et-metiers.net/musee/bleu-outremer-un-pigment-synthetiqueCentre Pompidou, “The untold story of the International Klein Blue (IKB) of Yves Klein”https://www.centrepompidou.fr/en/pompidou-plus/magazine/article/the-untold-story-of-the-international-klein-blue-ikb-of-yves-klein“Pigments through the Ages” (web archive of pigment histories)http://www.webexhibits.org/pigments/indiv/overview/ultramarine.htmlGetty Conservation Institute, “The Color of the Sky: Ultramarine” (materials & conservation)https://www.getty.edu/conservation/publications_resources/newsletters/15_3/ultramarine.html

In this episode we're asking the question: Can you own a color? We’ll sort myth from law, discussing American luxury brand Tiffany, French artist Yves Klein, and the International Klein Blue token — a community-made blockchain token on the Solana chain — all real-world examples that, spoiler alert, do not imply actually owning blue.📚 References & Further ReadingQualitex Co. v. Jacobson Products Co., 514 U.S. 159 (1995) — when a color can act as a trademarkhttps://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/93-1577.ZO.htmlChristian Louboutin S.A. v. Yves Saint Laurent America Inc. (2d Cir. 2012) — red sole protectable only in contrasthttps://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/ca2/11-3303/11-3303-2012-09-05.htmlTiffany Blue — brand statementsTiffany & Co. Press page on Tiffany Blue (trademark and Pantone “1837 Blue”):https://press.tiffany.com/our-story/tiffany-blue/Yves Klein & IKB — myth-busting the “patented color”Centre Pompidou, “The untold story of the International Klein Blue (IKB) of Yves Klein”:https://www.centrepompidou.fr/en/pompidou-plus/magazine/article/the-untold-story-of-the-international-klein-blue-ikb-of-yves-kleinMaterial note (binder/pigment example)MoMA object text for Blue Monochrome (1961):https://www.moma.org/collection/works/80103

In this episode, produced by IKB token collective member Maryann, we're exploring common beliefs about colors, such as yellow is "happy" and blue is "sad".  Where does this come from and is it even true? You'll discover that it has some significance for International Klein Blue.📚 References & Further ReadingSchloss, Karen & Witzel, Christoph & Lai, Leslie. (2020). Blue hues don't bring the blues: questioning conventional notions of color–emotion associations. Journal of the Optical Society of America A. 37. 813-824. 10.1364/JOSAA.383588.https://www.researchgate.net/publication/339965016_Blue_hues_don't_bring_the_blues_questioning_conventional_notions_of_color-emotion_associations

In this episode, prepared and hosted by IKB collective member Simon, we're diving into the fascinating psychology of blue in digital spaces, exploring how this powerful color shapes our online experiences and influences our behavior. We'll uncover the science behind blue's emotional impact, examine its role in building trust, and discover how it's revolutionizing design in the Web3 era.📚 References & Further ReadingGlobal Preference for BlueYouGov (2015). Blue is the world’s most popular color.https://today.yougov.com/topics/lifestyle/articles-reports/2015/09/11/blue-most-popular-colorBlue, Emotion, and CognitionMehta, R. & Zhu, R. (2009). Blue or Red? Exploring the Effect of Color on Cognitive Task Performances. Science, 323(5918).Küller, R., Mikellides, B., & Janssens, J. (2009). Color, arousal, and performance: A comparison of three experiments. Color Research & Application.GF Smith & University of Sussex (2019). The World’s Favourite Colour Project.https://gfsmith.com/pages/worlds-favourite-colourTrust, Retention, and Website ColorCyr, D., Head, M., & Larios, H. (2009). Color appeal in website design within and across cultures: A multi-method evaluation. MIS Quarterly, 33(3).Alberts, H. & van der Geest, T. (2011). Color and credibility: Website color schemes rated by users.Palumbo, R., et al. (2017). Color in marketing: A review of research.Conversion Rate Experiments (CTA Buttons)HubSpot / Performable (2011). Red vs. Green Button Test — red outperformed green by 21%.https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/button-color-performCXL Institute Case Study. Blue CTA vs. Orange CTA — blue button ~9% higher clicks.https://cxl.com/blog/button-color-testing/Blue in Art & Value PerceptionMa, Y., et al. (2019). Color and bidding behavior in art auctions.Smithsonian Magazine (2019). Blue paintings sell for more, study finds.https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/blue-paintings-sell-more-study-finds-180972356/NFT & Visual TraitsNadini, M., et al. (2021). Mapping the NFT revolution: market trends and visual features. Scientific Reports, 11(20902).DappRadar (2022). NFT Market Reports.https://dappradar.com/nftCrypto Branding & CommunityCoinbase Brand Guidelines.https://brand.coinbase.comSyrjälä, H., et al. (2022). The role of color in online community branding.Accessibility & Technical Use of BlueW3C (2023). Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2.https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG22/Anecdote: The Value of Hue ShiftsBBC News (2014). Google’s “41 shades of blue” test added $200m revenue.https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-26260978

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