Main content

Front Row: The Blue Edition

Tonight's Front Row is a blue odyssey as we explore the confluences and the contradictions surrounding the use of the colour blue in contemporary culture.

Tonight's Font Row is a blue odyssey led by John Wilson as he talks to:

Dr Narayan Khandekar, Director of the Forbes Pigment Collection and one of the first people in the world to recognise the significance of the accidental creation of new pigment, YInMn Blue;

Artist Idris Khan is known for the use of blue in his work. He accepted Front Row's invitation to play with the newest blue pigment on the block. Idris Khan's work can be seen online as part of a group show at Victoria Miro, themed around the colour blue. The exhibition is called The Sky Was Blue the Sea Was Blue and the Boy Was Blue and runs until the end of April. Idris’s solo show, The Seasons Turn, will mark the reopening of the Victoria Miro gallery to the public, on April 13. His show runs until 15 May;

Science journalist Kai Kupferschmidt who has written a new book, Blue: In Search of Nature's Rarest Colour which will be published in the UK in June;

Architect Huang Wenjing who has designed a new blue building - the Pinghe Bibliotheater - in Shanghai;

Saxophonist and composer Branford Marsalis who has written the blues soundtrack for the new film Ma Rainey's Black Bottom which can be seen on Netflix;

and Colourist Jodie Davidson on the significance of blue when telling stories on the big and small screen.

Presenter: John Wilson
Studio Manager: Sue Maillot
Producer: Ekene Akalawu

Available now

41 minutes

After the Blue

Main image:

Idris Khan
Ìý2021

White Gesso and YInMn Blue Acrylic on Aluminum
Diptych: Each – 23.5 x 27.5 cm
© Idris Khan
Courtesy the artist and Victoria Miro


New YInMn blue

New YInMn blue
YInMnBl01

Branford Marsalis

Branford Marsalis
Image: Branford Marsalis

is streaming on Netflix

Ìýis streaming on All 4

Kai Kupferschmidt

Kai Kupferschmidt
Kai Kupferschmidt's bookÌýBlue: In Search of Nature's Rarest Color: A Scientist's Search for Nature's Rarest Colour is published in June

Bibliotheater

Bibliotheater
Bibliotheater
Photo credit: Jonathan Leijonhufvud

Broadcast

  • Fri 2 Apr 2021 19:00

Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú Arts Digital

The best of British culture live and on demand.

Inspire

Inspire

A season discovering where artists find inspiration and helping listeners get creative.

Podcast