Chapter 5

Every month marks a milestone. A new adventure for some and for others just a new season. Spring has sprung in the southern hemisphere. The streets are filled with colourful garments and characters. Crazy people hibernate in winter, I am one of them. My skin and nose aren't happy, but my mood definitely is. Speaking about all things new and colourful, there's a new colour in town called, "blue". I bet you were thinking of something more fancy or unheard of, sorry to disappoint you. Blue is the new Vantablack, that's the blacker than black material that had every designer's attention not so long ago.

Discovering or inventing a new pigment or ingredient is a big deal, because it can change product development. Just like Vantablack, which Anish Kapoor (a British Indian sculptor) has obtained exclusive art rights to, blue has changed the game entirely opening up exciting possibilities in manufacturing colour, material, finishes and flavour, like the new healthy blue coffee free drink called the Smurf Latte made by Melbourne's Matcha Mylkbar. I so want to go there.

YInMn is an accidentally discovered bold inorganic blue pigment that doesn't fade. It's named after its key elements, which are Yttrium, Indium and Manganese. This pigment is the first new blue to be discovered after 200 years, all thanks to a  team at Oregon State University that made a valuable mistake in 2009. The pigment has now been made available commercially by Shepherd Colour Company. It's uses include art restoration, commercial coatings for cars and aircrafts and energy-efficient paint. I can already see houses being painted in all shades of blue.

In the African context blue has always been associated with loyalty and friendship, which is the next colour that I add to my love letter. A true friend, is a loyal friend.