2018 in the shade of ultra violet
By Ola Wronecka
Violet is a shade rarely found in nature, so obtaining such a dye in the olden days was extremely difficult. Like everything that is rare, unique and difficult to access, it was reserved for special people and for special occasions throughout history. In the coming year, however, it will be the leading color for all of us, because the Pantone Institute has just announced ultra violet as the color of the year for 2018.
In ancient times, one could immediately recognize a wealthy person or of a high position by their purple garments, as the purple dye obtained from mussels was an extremely valuable ingredient. Only a few were able to afford clothes in this shade, and to this day the historical context of this phenomenon can be traced in the phrase “bishop’s purple” or “bishop’s violet”.
At present violet is very democratized, everyone can wear it, although not everyone decides to do so. It is an extremely extravagant and an eccentric shade.
In its substantiation, the Pantone Institute also refers to the icons of pop culture, who have broken fashion conventions with the help of purple, mentioning David Bowie and Prince, as well as Jimi Hendrix with a characteristic purple scarf or a more contemporary icon, Lady Gaga, as well as Dita von Teese, who, for her wedding to Marilyn Manson, wore a spectacular violet dress designed by Vivienne Westwood.
However, the cultural connotations of ultra violet do not end there. It was the artistic pseudonym of Andy Warhol’s muse Isabelle Collin Dufresne. Purple was also clearly marked in the psychedelic art of the 1960s and 1970s. Frequently based on the experience of LSD, it was based on optical illusions, mandalas, repeating elements and very expressive colors.
According to Pantone specialists, the color of 2018 “communicates the originality, ingenuity and visionary thinking that shows us the future”. Violet is also a shade symbolizing the uniqueness of mysticism, associated with spirituality and contemplation. In ultraviolet we also find references to the infinite puzzles of the cosmos and the secrets that are waiting to be discovered. Therefore, next to the mystical message of this color, it is also symbolic for futurism and technology.
And indeed, the cities of the future are very often presented by artists in a blue and violet glow. This can be seen in the recent Blade Runner 2049 film.
Violet is also the color of many vegetables and fruits such as berries, figs, plums, blackberries, grapes, eggplants, onions, beets, cabbage, and even a purple cauliflower variety. The reason for their unusual color is anthocyanins, which in addition to a beautiful shade have a very positive impact on our health.
The richness of antioxidants protects us against viruses and bacteria, helps increase blood circulation and oxygenation of the brain, strengthens the heart, improves eyesight, but also has anti-inflammatory properties and counteracts free radicals, and even takes part in the destruction of cancer cells. Therefore, Ultra Violet in this context will also be the color of 2018, in the form of fashion for healthy and conscious nutrition.
At Pixers, shades of violet will be used in interior design proposals in 2018. Although Ultra Violet is seemingly garish and very expressive, you can perfectly tone it down with a properly selected palette, in which it will not be glaring for us in contemporary, Scandinavian or even minimalist interiors.
As already mentioned at the beginning, violet is not common in nature, but this does not mean that it is not present at all. Fuchsias, asters, bellflowers, lilac, and finally lavender are just a few examples of the color of 2018 in nature. In spite of appearances, it also blends well in the pastel palette.
Ultraviolet may seem a very bold choice, but as the Pantone Institute specialists prove, as its symbolism is ambiguous, it can have many views. And most importantly, it is a shade that symbolically shows us the way of invention, exploration and self-development, so it is worth letting the spirit of Pantone 2018 guide us in the upcoming year, at least symbolically.
