Blue Worth More Than Gold? Ultramarine’s Proto-Bitcoin Moment

Blue Food - Why it's so Weird

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 Reading * U.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-3 [https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-gardenia-genipin-blue-color-additive-while-encouraging-faster-phase-out-fdc-red-no-3] * U.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-extract [https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/02/06/2026-02314/listing-of-color-additives-exempt-from-certification-spirulina-extract] * U.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-claims [https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-takes-new-approach-no-artificial-colors-claims] * U.S. FDA consumer page on color additives: https://www.fda.gov/food/food-ingredients-packaging/color-additives-information-consumers [https://www.fda.gov/food/food-ingredients-packaging/color-additives-information-consumers] * Charles Spence, “What is so unappealing about blue food and drink?”: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1878450X18300398 [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1878450X18300398] * Charles Spence, “What’s the Story With Blue Steak?”: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.638703/full [https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.638703/full] * Review of natural blue food colorants: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0924224421002156 [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0924224421002156] * Review on colors, taste, and consumer expectations: https://library.imaging.org/jpi/articles/5/0/jpi0149 [https://library.imaging.org/jpi/articles/5/0/jpi0149] * How food color shapes sensory expectations: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12785572/ [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12785572/]

Is Klein Blue the Color of 2026?

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 Reading Vogue — “How to Wear Cobalt Blue—The Electric Hue You're Suddenly Seeing Everywhere” https://www.vogue.com/article/cobalt-blue-trend [https://www.vogue.com/article/cobalt-blue-trend] Vogue UK — “Cobalt Blue Is An Early Contender For The Colour…” https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/cobalt-blue-2026-trend [https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/cobalt-blue-2026-trend] Cosmopolitan — “The Oscars Fashion Solidified the Color of the Season” https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/fashion/a70760361/the-oscars-fashion-electric-blue-trend/ [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/ [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/ [https://www.harpersbazaar.com/celebrity/latest/a70757020/kim-kardashian-blue-contacts-2026-oscars-after-party-red-carpet-photos/]

Why Is Blue Hair So Popular?

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

Review of Imani Perry’s Black in Blues

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. 📚 References Black in Blues: How a Color Tells the Story of My People, Imani Perry (Ecco/HarperCollins), 2025 https://www.harpercollins.com/products/black-in-blues-imani-perry [https://www.harpercollins.com/products/black-in-blues-imani-perry]

Blue Worth More Than Gold? Ultramarine’s Proto-Bitcoin Moment

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 Reading National Gallery (London), “Ultramarine” — history, making, and use https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/research/meaning-of-colours-in-western-art/ultramarine Victoria & Albert Museum, “Blue: Ultramarine” — materials and trade https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/blue-ultramarine The Met Museum Timeline of Art History, “Lapis Lazuli” https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/lapi/hd_lapi.htm [https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/lapi/hd_lapi.htm] Cennino Cennini, Il Libro dell’Arte (The Craftsman’s Handbook) — classic recipes for ultramarine (English trans. excerpts) https://www.noteaccess.com/Texts/Cennini/ [https://www.noteaccess.com/Texts/Cennini/] Britannica, “Prussian blue” — discovery and properties https://www.britannica.com/science/Prussian-blue Musée des Arts et Métiers / CNAM, “Ultramarine, a synthetic pigment” (history of Guimet ultramarine) https://www.arts-et-metiers.net/musee/bleu-outremer-un-pigment-synthetique 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-klein [https://www.centrepompidou.fr/en/pompidou-plus/magazine/article/the-untold-story-of-the-international-klein-blue-ikb-of-yves-klein?utm_source=chatgpt.com] “Pigments through the Ages” (web archive of pigment histories) http://www.webexhibits.org/pigments/indiv/overview/ultramarine.html Getty Conservation Institute, “The Color of the Sky: Ultramarine” (materials & conservation) https://www.getty.edu/conservation/publications_resources/newsletters/15_3/ultramarine.html