The Blackest Black? ART FIGHT ft. Stuart Semple vs Anish Kapoor

[@DavidKimFX]

I disagree. I don't think Stuart Semple is being petty at all. Anish Kapoor most definitely is. Stuart is simply giving Kapoor a taste of his own medicine. It's more about calling him out for being selfish.

[@LindsayDaly]

That is actually my point of the video! The title is just clickbait haha.

[@DavidKimFX]

Clever girl.

[@Tactical_Assault_Pelican]

I agree selfishness is anish and anish is selfish he would share his black and spread the colour or should I say spread the anti colour

[@masn1881]

it wouldn’t matter if we could buy vanta black we could afford it anyway, let anish have his black

[@greatninja2590]

Masøn we can’t but pretty sure other artist with money can.

[@SCWood]

it does kinda suck that they gave the rights to a single person. It could change the art world but they wouldn't let it.

[@yaelgarcia459]

This is why I don't see why Anish is the prick when the company gave him the rights only. The problem should be with them.

[@christophernguyen1750]

@Carol Gibbons You’re totally right and your argument is extremely valid. However, I think this issue is worth mentioning because it isn’t just about pettiness with paint but alludes to the greater economic issue of monopolies. Large corporations who dominate certain industries block out any other incoming competitors or businesses, which you kind of see here with Vantablack. Although there are tons of pressing issues in starvation, shelter, water, and other basic necessities, that doesn’t mean more complex issues like these shouldn’t be talked about, especially when these issues often times relate back to those core necessities. P.S. Forgive me if I’m misconstruing your argument or text

[@pokemaster123ism]

I’ve heard that Vantablack is actually toxic due to the process making it so someone made a color that’s just as dark, maybe .1 or .3% lighter, except it isn’t toxic

[@manicpepsicola3431]

@@yaelgarcia459 he paid the company to only let him use it so they didn't just decide on an artist to let use it

[@IAMHAPPY5290]

@@pokemaster123ism i read in a tumblr post (mentioning that bc i have no idea how valid these claims are) that it's toxic, flammable, potentially explosive, and overall has to be prepared in a specialized laboratory where the conditions can be controlled to prevent any bad things from happening. So it's, in my opinion, lowkey a good thing that anish kapoop got the rights bc otherwise stuart semple probably wouldnt have been as motivated to make his far safer and easier to use version of the black

[@SunnyTheOpossum]

Petty? No. Funny? Absolutely. The creator of the better black was obviously making a joke, but I see where you’re coming from.

[@LindsayDaly]

I was hoping it was more obvious that I meant petty in a good way - for a while, being "petty" was kind of embraced in media, basically as being funny, being a joke, like being "extra". The trend passed, and now people get so mad about this title without seemingly listening to what I actually say in the video! Glad you see what I'm saying haha

[@rituparikh2255]

"cloud gate" lmao its a bEAN

[@Somebradia]

I've read somewhere that someone (maybe Mr pink himself) painted the entire bean in the Pinkest pink

[@jjmarie3472]

@@Somebradia it didn't happen..but there was an event saying they would to piss him off lol

[@allisongallant7845]

It's a bean 😂😂😂 that cracked me up

[@yugimutou9762]

The only petty person here is Anish Kapoor.

[@scoremix8556]

indeed.

[@willgetonepiece]

Yeah because he is not from from America that's why ? I mean you guys gave him exclusive rights. So go ask the company to change the terms with Anish while this dumb Semple or whatever is only trying to earn money by defaming a famous artist.

[@SenorRu]

Yeah, I really don't see why Simple is the petty one in this. Especially after Kapoor's pink finger post.

[@LindsayDaly]

I don't mean petty to be a bad thing! Even at the end of the video I mention that I'm truly here to appreciate Semple! He himself loved this video haha.

[@WardNightstone]

agreed Kapoor is a giant Duche

[@ductsynch1879]

Ajit Pai no u

[@simonrandall215]

I think anyone who can mix pigments and dyes can make whatever they like..

[@TheStockwell]

I tried out Stuart Semple's black and it's a wonderful tool he's made available to artists. I bought what he called a beta version, meaning everyone who purchased it was encouraged to tell him how it worked and how it was used. He's now come out with a pre-mixed version which is even blacker, matte-er, and, well, badder. It's amazing stuff - and affordable. It's not Vanta black, but it's available, you know? Oh, and it has a black cherry scent. I'm not going to take sides in this but I will say Kapoor has released something made with the real thing. It's a watch. A $95,000.00 watch. Since the "miracle" of Vantablack is about how it's completely non-reflective, having a glass cover on the watch defeats the whole purpose of the gimmick. Semple put a new and affordable tool in artist's hands. Kapoor put a $95,000.00 watch on the market for hyper-rich people. In their own ways, I'm sure both of them are targeting a specific market and are happy about it. To each his own, I guess. Still, if that watch were cherry scented, it might be worth buying. ;)

[@LindsayDaly]

This is also the "beta" version, since it wasn't pre-mixed, but I'd love to get a bottle of v2.0 sometime (especially since it smells like black cherry)!

[@TheStockwell]

Well, Helloooo Lindsay. It's me, your newest subscriber! I'm going to be ordering the new v2.0 edition of "Semply Black," soon. I'll probably get an extra bottle because I do large works - and it's SO cool to tell people about my super-spooky Harry Potteresque materials ("That black is made from a handcrafted pigment I have flown in from the UK. Because I deserve it, that's why!"). I don't do the trippy things other artists are doing, like painting action figures and setting them in a black box so you can't see them. I use it to for landscapes and use gold leaf. When you water it down, it creates creamy velvet greys and blacks. If Rothko had known about this stuff, he would've ordered it by the gallon. At 0:20 when you mention "exactly the kind of freaky shit that constitutes Art," you won my heart. You're my new hero. Deal with it! :)

[@Andreamom001]

It really doesn't seem petty to me. Sharing of techniques and discoveries (as well as closely guarding them) has been a part of art forever, and it has been a bone of contention forever when one artist keeps a technique or material secret while others try to obtain it. In this case, though, it's not a matter of figuring it out, there is law standing in the way. And I think much of what Semple is doing is tongue-in-cheek, anyway. He wants to draw attention and make a point as well as promote his products in a fun way. I have no respect for one artist taking a product he did not invent and keeping it away form all other artists.

[@LindsayDaly]

I don't mean petty to be a bad thing! (people were referring to it as "petty" on tumblr, sort of as a meme when this story first happened) at the end of the video I mention that I'm truly here to appreciate Semple! He himself loved this video haha

[@Andreamom001]

I think "petty" is the wrong word. "Petty" is by nature a word with negative connotations including "mean," "narrow-minded," "lesser," and "shallow." If you meant the word in the sense of it's denotation of "unimportant" or "trivial" or "insignificant," then one of those words would have been a better choice. Although, again, I don't think it is a trivial matter to the artists who are upset. They can get passionate about colors and materials because that is what their work is made up of. I didn't think you were being negative towards Semple.

[@LindsayDaly]

I know haha, trust me - it was more clickbait than anything. Thanks for watching!

[@ivyjean5056]

Andrea B I

[@Happyfaceshock]

This video fails to mention, though I think it is important to know, that Stuart Semple makes no money from the products he is selling. I can't say for all of his products, but for everything featured on this video, he's selling it at what it costs to make. Though I personally don't love his art, and actually prefer Kapoor's, the man himself is an absolute example of the positive nature humans can possess, and he is a blessing to this world :)

[@mirrepoix]

i think a very important detail to focus on in regards to Stuart Semple is that he has always been a driving force behind making beautiful pigments available to as many artists as possible - all of his pigments are incredibly cheap (a 50g container of the discussed Pinkest Pink is only 6 USD!), so that you are not even restricted to the high dollar that is behind a lot of good art products. so not only is the keeping of one particular pigment restricted to a single artist a huge offense in a community meant to spread creativity, it's especially a huge offense to Stuart Semple. it's not just satisfyingly petty revenge against a dickhead, it's upholding the ethical standard that Semple has always adhered to. which is, in my opinion, the most satisfying part of seeing Anish Kapoor get thoroughly humiliated for his shitty antics.

[@unabashedlyluckynerd7148]

The pettiness is art in itself. He makes a good message by restricting kapoor a color while everyone is restricted from using vantablack

[@amandabergkvist1285]

It's a joke, man. One person can have one paint exclusively, and there's one paint he exclusively can't have. That's a hilarious way to add focus to the fact that he as the rights to a paint that could benefit the art world massively.

[@deathtomichaelknagge4397]

The entire thing is a joke. Black is black and pink is pink.

[@Prizzlesticks]

The camera is tripping out trying to capture that pink. I love it. Also, I'd have recommended a bit more pigment for that much base. That amount could have easily absorbed far more pigment for a more matte and vanta-esque finish. :) Oh, and let's all just agree to call Kapoor's little silver sculpture 'The Bean'. Because he hates it being called that, but I calls 'em like I sees 'em.

[@theartistswings9810]

Petty? No. Funny? Undeniably so. But pointless? Hell nah Anish Kapoor is the kind of selfish immature artist that gets all uppity about stupid things. He had everything everyone wanted and when something was out of his reach he went after that too and mocked everyone about it. That kind of man deserves no respect and ought to be shown some humility.

[@inessa5923]

That beginning was copied and we all know it :)

[@SunnyTheOpossum]

When humanity comes to an inevitable end and aliens populate the earth, they’re going to think that giant baby head is our god.

[@jacknemo8021]

would they be wrong?

[@5uz4n34]

totally unrelated but absolutely necessary

[@dpage446]

They would be right

[@romicu352]

None of these would’ve been created if he just shared the black sooooo

[@RiddleMajor]

Uh, We Got The *Insert Color Here*est *Insert Color*. And A Cheaper Way To Get Black. :/

[@fontunetheteller410]

I can't wait for the bluest blue.

[@afunkylittleguy]

FontuneTheTeller psst, it’s here! Check the website! It’s called the lovelies blue tho

[@mexblanco1844]

I saw your comment and looked it up and it exists now it’s called the Loveliest Blue 🥳💙

[@lenaciobanu7155]

maybe go and see Yves Klein

[@devilsacolyte6268]

Youre not an artist if you like Anish Kapoor

[@MattDeckard]

This isn’t about petty. Your use of petty is a misrepresentation of what’s happening. Sample is upset as all artists that wish to use Vantablack are.

[@Sarge92]

no its petty even though he has legitimate reason to be upset on the grand scale of things someone not sharing there paints is pretty low compared to world hunger

[@emperorfaiz]

@@Sarge92 Classic whataboutism tactic.

[@catherinematters6690]

I like this Semple guy :D

[@angelaphsiao]

Everyone in the comments is so mad over her calling Semple petty. Stuart is absolutely petty and it’s awesome.

[@ranaemoore8124]

I received my Black 2.0 after reading about it on Flipboard and it is absolutely amazing. Can't wait to get more

[@LMSPetRescue]

Also side note his Better Black is actually safer, Vantablack is dangerously combustible and has to be specially sealed to make it safe. Not to mention the extreme price difference and there’s absolutely no competition as to which is truly better

[@ronweasley496]

I'm living for the artist tea.

[@WanderlustButterfly]

This rivalry creates innovation. Love it!

[@juniperartist]

Stuart Semple is the hero here for me though. I was a bit disappointed about a black for only one artist. It's better to see what many artists points of view with the black, or any other art medium. Happy he was angry enough to put out great products we can all enjoy.

[@dreiundelfzig6452]

This feud is some kind of art itself

[@garnetqueen7266]

Godforbid when he dies, what will they do with the VantaBlack #sharetheblack

[@arsaeterna4285]

this is a weird video and im fucking cold now

[@SSP000]

Very interesting! I'm on Semple's side.

[@JACCO20082012]

This is the most English thing I've seen in a long time. Two grown men taking offense to paint and trolling each other over it while being 100% serious.

[@screamdream4337]

your music is too loud

[@florenciaho9532]

I know right it's fucking annoyyyinnnggg

[@NotOfBelAir]

Im an indian and im not proud of what kapoor did here. On the other hand semple was just asking to share the color but ended up creating 3 of his own . Necessity is surely the mother of inventions .

[@rowankafle1680]

There should be more people like Stuart Semple. He single handedly beat the Nano Tech laboratory also cause of him we are getting even better and more accessible versions of black from different companies which are being improved upon with each iterations they release.

[@sophieliebman1105]

I see the MFA's baby heads because I live near Boston. They are so weird.

[@firstcanonkill1767]

tHERES MULTIPLE??

[@Ellie-jr4zy]

I didn’t know the bean had a different name...

[@TheWipal]

this drama buttered my croissant

[@eviek8318]

*Kapoor* : no one can have this except one person *Result*- no one gets it except one person *semple* : everyone can have this except one person *result* : Kapoor gets it anyways? EXPLAIN?

[@afunkylittleguy]

Evie K what do you mean? He’s not allowed to have it til he shares the vantablack.

[@tpeasetiger]

Anish Kapoor just bought the rights to a color that is the same color of his soul.

[@stephanieh930]

Absolutely hysterical! I appreciate Stuart Semple calling out this ridiculous situation - and in such a productive way, as opposed to just complaining

[@lee-rs2ni]

finally, something as black as my soul and as dark as my days. #sharetheblack

[@jacknemo8021]

Go Team Semple!

[@SilverWingedOne]

I just got my Kickstarter bottles of Black 3.0 today.

[@TheFeiful]

Stuart Semple is awesome! Not only does he give back to the art community but he expertly trolls one of the greediest human beings on the planet.

[@bekahface4484]

The website for that glitter says not to stick your fingers in it...

[@AlejandroAlvarez01]

The real video starts at 5:19

[@Above3Beyond123]

Bruh imagine that black in the ocean not even knowing how far your going down

[@barral69]

I just saw LIT Glow powder on Amazon that sent me down this rabbit hole. lmao I didn't even know this argument had happened! Still using the disclaimer on his products. That's F-ing hilarious!

[@peachr384]

I see people bringing up black 2.0 but what’s more exciting is black 3.0 (obviously old comments but it’s still a fun update)

[@1-Goose-On-The-Loose]

They’re both petty but I like Stuart Semple better because it lead to him making cool stuff.

[@andikardian9014]

Most musician will share their songs, show how it's recorded in studio, break everything down, share tabs and sheet, let everyone cover their songs even played it live on stage. But that particular artist is different kind of artist.

[@misosouphere6074]

The background music sounds like a Minecraft music remix

[@lainieschwartz1442]

I just watched a video and the guy that maid it said that it was a total joke

[@afunkylittleguy]

Lainie Schwartz it kind of was but he was also making a statement.

[@jayjaybearington8376]

Why is no one talking about the fact she literally started playing with glass

[@brownsauce1763]

How did i get here

[@mrrolandlawrence]

It is quite possible that radar absorbing paint used in military jets has some of the tech from the "super black" paint. Im guessing that would be a reason why it's not available to the wider public at this time and that Kapoor got a special waiver to use it.

[@aqk-ry5zn]

I don't think it's petty for him to do that. It's hilarious, and I appreciate the message behind it.

[@cuckoo-clockheart]

Stuart semple it's a genius and I love how everything he does is art

[@LuizAlexPhoenix]

I think Anish is the sort we should line up against a wall. Semple can continue working in art.

[@calencor]

kapoor needs to share that color! #freetheblack!

[@DigitalAndInnovation]

I've gotta call it out- You call Semple a painter / printmaker 0:55 ... I think in the end he may be the greatest installation artists ever. Forget anything you have ever seen. Semple made an art installation that spans across the globe. It is petty... but in reality... isn't that the prerequisite within art..?

[@e_jj2923]

the glitter isn’t even glittery!!! it’s just clear and reflects off the sunlight a tiny bit 🙄

[@afunkylittleguy]

Elsa I’ve heard it better irl! And probably underneath sunlight.

[@paigenichols3431]

You and Elle mills sound like each other

[@DanceGualtieri]

Art! Amazing and surprising feud among artists.

[@rosebrigade]

Anish Kapoor should honestly be banned from any color use except his precious Vantablack, until he gives up exclusivity of it. Art has always been a free media for creative minds, and literally giving a man exclusive rights to a specific color is like bringing back the old ages of ancient monarchy, when no one dared use purple or blue as a color since they were only for royalty. We left those ages behind, we are more advanced and civilized than that now. Anish is only proving how arrogant he is by holding onto what could've revolutionized artistic media in creating the darkest colors.

[@Damon_Washington]

Shi I think it's justified I wanna use vanta black too ....oh wait....I can't🖕 doesn't seem petty to me

[@SherinFunmes]

Its not Anish kapoors fault if he's not *"allowed"* to share the black...

[@kenkennyson]

That museum is right next to my school.

[@赤ちゃんかわいいです]

I want the blackest black as a shirt color

[@peachfroggg_]

Semple also released a pigment that releases the most light in the world ambiently called Lit. (did I mention his black is called Black 2.0?)

[@the_flying_airplane5335]

I disagree with most comments. Semple was petty. Doesn’t mean he was wrong tho lol. He’s the best kind of petty- justifiably and productively petty

[@LindsayDaly]

Exactly!! You get it haha

[@TheBookloverforever]

They developed something blacker than Vanta black.. so .. I guess both Anish and Stuart can sit on top of their piles of colors and sulk. P.S. - I feel sad for their family members.

[@MrSourceMan]

Huh, I go to school right next to the MFA and I've never seen that baby head. I always see the native american on the horse, the Japanese garden and the weird rock thing.

[@quinn2826]

I love this story so so Much

[@alphabee8171]

World is here rn because people shared! And millions chipped in that direction.

[@EthalaRide]

Stuart Semple just came out with the LIT (lightest light) pigment that straight up GLOWS. except this time, instead of being banned from Anish Kapoor, if you can prove you are Anish Kapoor or are going to be giving it too him, it's FREE, because Semple thinks everyone should be able to share the light!

[@anaghasaji9152]

YO WAIT I live in Bournemouth, finally someone knows the town exists

[@ihswap]

I clicked in this video by accident but I'm not not disappointed.

[@BussyConnoisseur]

Non artist calling this feud of artist petty? 🤔

[@AdolphusOfBlood]

This seems like a vary productive feud to me. Vary constructive.

[@superrjimmy2747]

Why is everyone mad at Kapoor? Be mad at the people who decided to only release it to one person...

[@homeybee5406]

To note the cameras and our displays can’t actually display just how pink his pink is this video tells it well kzbin.info/www/bejne/lX_dh6Cql7WCqK8

[@LindsayDaly]

Yes, I’ve seen it! I love Tom Scott’s videos, so thanks for watching mine!

[@huh4189]

I'm kinda happy that Stuart did that

[@khproductions4741]

Wow a big fight in the commets

[@joeylizasimbulan3973]

Vantablack is not sold commercially because it's not an ordinary paint that you can just dip your brush and apply. It needs machines to coat the object because of the nano tubes that traps the light etc. Because of this, Kapoor appears to be petty to the public and Semple on the other hand, is using that opportunity for publicity maybe? (Idk for sure). Also. Vantablack is not made for visual art purposes.

[@cuckoo-clockheart]

"Cloud gate" Me: oh the BEAN!

[@ExtranjeraTV]

pls make more vids holy shit

[@LindsayDaly]

loool thanks, I make videos every week, but if people want to hear more about this/art shit in general I'd make more!

[@Liobsa]

great video, please make more!

[@yaelgarcia459]

I'm confused. Why is Anish being a prick when the company give him only the rights? Shouldn't the beef be with them?

[@julianahochileitner5138]

It doesn't work on foil lmao, you need a porous base for the paint to adhere

[@virixot]

thank you semple very cool

[@LindsayDaly]

*Coming back to this video almost three years later, I wanted to mention a few things!* I definitely didn't use enough of the black powder when mixing it with the base element. That said, Semple has released a newer version of the black that is supposed to be even better than this one! Also, I appreciate what Semple has done here! I meant petty in the 'Tumblr meme' sort of way, when this was going around on the internet way back then, that's how people referred to it! It's like....deliciously petty, like /r/maliciouscompliance. I love Semple, and he actually liked this video a lot! He continues to release new colors all the time, which you can purchase here: stuartsemple.com/store/

[@obravot]

where i can buy the pigments???

[@mrmaldoon8362]

Interesting. Thanks

[@JBravo-id1uj]

Actually vantablack is made up of mostly empty space in which light is observed.

[@rae_diant]

Kapoor is corporate and elitist. Semple is the robin hood of the art world

[@aliyahblidner]

That black looks like a portal to the void

[@Raima_Is_Lovely]

The world's *insert the most of an item* *item* . That's how the phrase goes.

[@GulRamani]

DEAR ANEESH: ART IS WORTH TALKING ABOUT AND IS NOT JUST THE ART OF SEEING: OK EVEN IF ONE SEES ART: IT SHOULD BE POWERFULL ENOUGH TO CHARGE OTHER ACTIVITIES OF THE CRANIUM SUCH AS PRODUCING WORDS ARE YOU OK WITH THIS?

[@Tootisepop]

*The pettiness intensifys!!!!*

[@miamiwax5504]

Stuart Semple ftw