IKB Godet

It is not a joke. It is Yves Klein. Yves Klein was a French artist considered an important figure in post-war European art. Among many things he was famous of "inventing" International Klein Blue (or IKB as it is known in art circles) - the color you see on DailyArt today. The uniqueness of IKB does not derive from the ultramarine pigment, but rather from the matte, synthetic resin binder in which the color is suspended, and which allows the pigment to maintain as much of its original qualities and intensity of color as possible. The synthetic resin used in the binder is a polyvinyl acetate developed and marketed at the time under the name Rhodopas M or M60A by the French pharmaceutical company Rhône Poulenc. In May 1960, Klein deposited a Soleau envelope, registering the paint formula under the name International Klein Blue (IKB) at the Institut national de la propriété industrielle (INPI). Contrary to popular belief, Klein never patented IKB. Only valid under French law, a soleau enveloppe merely registers the date of invention, according to the depositor, prior to any legal patent application. The copy held by the INPI was destroyed in 1965. Klein's own copy, which the INPI returned to him duly stamped is still extant.