Copied/ Knocked-off/ Faux/ Cloned/ Forged/ Inspired/ or even an Homage to Yves Klein … whatever you want to call it, I accept.
Yves Klein’s Blue, or more aptly named IKB for international Klein Blue was introduced to me almost 2 years ago at this point. Of course by a french art history major that knows more about art than I may ever… lol. Not that I want to disavow southern Georgia of its educational prowess… Moving forward – how does someone not fall in love with this color! Of course I needed more of this in my life.
I searched online for where I could purchase this type of paint. I found it at a company called RESOURCES. I first used it on a pair of savonarola chairs but as I started researching his art and became captivated by the monochrome color, it inspired me to make my own with the paint I ordered for my chairs. The specific painting of his that I found online is titled ‘IKB 242 A‘ from 1959.
I used this image as a reference for what I wanted to create. The monochrome blue and texture are mesmerizing to me.
Now, I have not had the privilege of seeing any IKB painting in person. Thus I am not fully able to comprehend the texture of his art. From what I can tell, my painting is close enough to the real thing for me. It’s personal, I created it, and best of all, it’s mine!
** As I have stated above, I have not had the pleasure of seeing Yves Klein’s work in person, so this is my best ‘color match’ via only the internet. Upon researching where to find this color and/or make it myself, I did come across some interesting individuals that ‘raved’ about how they were able to create their own IKB blue. Of course this was interesting to me and I emailed from their blog to receive the ‘recipe’. Only for them to send a one step process that ultimately was lackluster and didn’t give you the matte powdery finish I have come to expect with IKB based on my research. The pompousness of the individuals & not just from the blogs I have come to interact with, when it comes to art, its history, the story, creation and even display of personal purchases are absolutely fucking ridiculous. Create what you love. Buy what inspires you. Regardless of price or the arts potential ‘investable return’. Never let some basic art critic ask you “and what are you going to do with it?”… I will display my $2.00 street art right next to my hundred thousand dollar paintings BECAUSE I LIKE IT. Art is the conscious use of skill and creative imagination especially in the production of aesthetic objects. It is not ‘art’ only when the produced item is purchased.**