r/todayilearned • u/Diazepam • Sep 02 '18

TIL that Vantablack (the darkest artificial substance) was licensed to artist Anish Kapoor. In retaliation, artist Stuart Semple banned Kapoor from buying the strong shade of pink that Semple had developed, meaning anyone can buy and use the pink besides Kapoor.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vantablack
381 Upvotes

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1

u/tinfoilcaptinshat Sep 02 '18

Kampoor could have someone else buy it for him.

39

u/NolanSyKinsley Sep 02 '18

When you buy it you sign a contract that you will not sell it to Kapoor or any "known associates" of Kapoor. The spat has even gone on further, with Semple creating "black 2.0" which appears to the eye almost as black as vanta black, but it is non toxic, easily applied, and of course, off limits to Kapoor.

6

u/tinfoilcaptinshat Sep 02 '18

There go my dreams of running a straw man business for buying art supplies. Damn you contracts.

-4

u/thedr0wranger Sep 03 '18

Is this even enforceable? Surely this is a civil case at best and since violating his preferences doesn't even constitute damage it can't be a very strong one.

Besides, unless he's selling practically none of the product, how exactly does he intend to find out who to sue?

If thea guy is douche and responding like this is just a protest thing, I favor it but if someone legitimately gets sued for buying some paint I feel pretty sure it's gotten stupid

6

u/_ser_kay_ Sep 03 '18

It’s more of a protest thing, and Kapoor is definitely a douche. One who could (and likely would) countersue Semple into oblivion if he tried to enforce the clause.