The Power of The Creative Colour Blue
By Jo Phillips
Blue is the colour, football is the game, oops wrong song; after all, we are not talking about Chelsea football club here. Yet the colour blue is truly not just a football reference, it is a universal notation, with a depth of emotional meaning, more so as it is referenced in music art design and film. Probably because it is so instantly stirring; its poignant references make it globally understood, and easily affectional and therefore this hue brings on special connected moments to remember. Find out more in The Power of The Creative Colour Blue
From films the classic 1986 David Lynch noir thriller Blue Velvet or Three Colours: Blue from 1993 the romance/thriller, and the first instalment in the Three Colours trilogy, themed on the French Revolutionary ideals of liberty, equality and fraternity directed by Krzysztof Kieślowski, then there is Neil Simons comedy play turned film Biloxi Blues, or Mo Better Blues the comedy/drama from 1990 by Spike Lee, we could keep going about how this tone is used in cinema, but there is music too.
There is a whole genre of music from The Blues, an African-American style from the Deep South of the USA to Bluegrass from the Appalachian region of the United States, via Elvis’s Blue Suede Shoes, and Blue Monday the New Order song from 1983. But never forget, what do rock and roll musicians so often wear to express their freedom and attitude, well blue jeans of course.
Art also plays an important part in the world of blue, from Vincent van Gogh, “The Starry Night,” 1889. Pablo Picasso, “Portrait d’Angel Fernández de Soto,” during his ‘Blue Period’ all the way to Roy Lichtenstein, “Moonscape,” 1965.
Probably the most famous of modern blue art is artist Yves Klein International Klein Blue, a matte version of ultramarine, used in a selection of his work and a colour he patented and called IKB in 1960. Between 1947 and 1957, he produced over 200 monochrome paintings, and sculptures, and even used human models in works bearing this deep hue.
IKB 191, monochromatic painting by Yves Klein
The feelings evoked by certain colours are not always universal a few differences sometimes play a role. For example in India Blue represents truth, mercy, and love, in Latin America it is associated with mourning, but also trust and tranquillity, In North America Blue is soothing and signifies a trustworthy person or official business, and for the United Kingdom Blue symbolises tranquillity, dignity, and decorum. In the arts, it has multiple associations, from love, elegance, freedom spirit and creativity.
Globally understood through the emotions that creativity brings, blue stands as a regal, creative, classic yet barrier-breaking colour, used only for the perfect moment of connection.
As blue becomes a language of its own, more blueness abounds. Johnnie Walker, the world’s No. 1 Scotch Whisky, is celebrating its new limited edition Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ice Chalet with an exclusive space at Selfridges London,
The Ice Chalet at Selfridges opens on Monday 28th October to 3rd November running for seven days, offering members of the public a luxe take on the après-ski experience, a taste of the latest Scottish whisky blend, and the chance to shop the Johnnie Walker x Perfect Moment skiwear capsule collection.
There is a bar and lounge, in addition to a personalization area for the merchandise. The collection features faux fur, cashmere, wool and responsibly sourced down for bombers, parkas, sweaters, pants, beanies and mittens.
And were that not enough, there is also an installation created by Show Studio. Called the “Moment Maker”. It takes guests on a journey through various alpine and wintry scenes and creates bespoke artworks for them using motion-activated digital effects.
The new whisky has been made by Master Blender Emma Walker, with malts from some of Scotland’s northernmost and highest-altitude distilleries.
Made in small batches using skills and techniques reserved only for whiskies of the highest quality. As a facet of the brand, the Johnnie Walker Blue Label embodies rarity and ultra-premium quality, and this particular version The Ice Chalet is a limited edition.
Inspired by alpine landscapes and the bold beauty of winter, these malts, including rare single malts from Northern icon Brora, in the Highlands of Scotland where only one in 10,000 casks succeeds in capturing its character, are married with expressions distilled during Scotland’s coldest winters, allowing distinctive distillery characteristics to shine through and creating a velvety-smooth blend that evokes notes of salted honey, cacao, and soft malt.
Combining the whisky brand’s iconic square bottle with Perfect Moment’s bold star logo and signature houndstooth pattern, the bottle is encased in a bespoke bag that transforms into a stylish, reversible crossbody once the bottle is removed.
So with the tasting note of an opening of almost sharp piquant white wine followed through with a fruity rounded note finished off with a warm spice that coats the tongue. Think of a full flavour signature of vanilla, cloves, spiced apples and gentle smoke. So how do you drink it?
Firstly there is pure and simple on its own, followed by the Johnnie Walker Blue Ice Chalet, neat over Ice, 25ml or 50ml
If you like the idea of bringing up the fruity notes then why not try
The Winter Bramble cocktail, Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ice Chalet, Poire Williams, Crème de Cassis, Sugar Syrup, Lemon Juice, garnished with Redcurrants
Or maybe you prefer a slightly more citrus and spice take then the Blue Twilight, may be more to your taste, with Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ice Chalet, Yuzu Liqueur, Aquafaba, Lemon, Velvet Falernum, garnished with Matcha Powder
If drinking Johnnie Walker Blue Label, then options are also aplenty
Ice Dancer: Johnnie Walker Blue Label, Glenkinchie, Plantation Pineapple Rum, Coconut Water, Pineapple Syrup, Bitters, garnished with Pineapple Leaf
Alpine Crystal: Johnnie Walker Blue Label, Elderflower Cordial, Lemon Juice, Champagne, garnished with Dehydrated Lemon Powder
Après Blue: Johnnie Walker Blue Label, Yuzu Sake, Honey Syrup, Lemon Juice, Filtered Water, Soda Water garnished with White Skeleton Leaf
“With Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ice Chalet, we have created a blend that can be enjoyed both through Winter and Summer months. Unique in its ability to be served from the freezer, neat over ice or in a highball, both capture that perfect moment of the Blue Hour – as the sun sets over snowcapped mountains and the smoky alpine scents fill the air. This exquisite expression has flavours of vanilla, cloves, spiced apples and a gentle smoke that, to me, has remnants of a smoked alpine log fire and a mulled wine. But its sweetness also works perfectly in a highball; a simple honeyed apple juice to reflect its sweet notes.”
Master Blended Emma Walker
The Ice Chalet at Selfridges London offers guests a fully immersive experience, with curated tastings of the rare blend, early access to the limited edition Perfect Moment capsule collection and a new interactive SHOWstudio installation, ‘Moment Maker’, which will create bespoke artworks for guests.
Three female British designers, Martine Rose, Nensi Dojaka and Tolu Coker all took part in the promotional campaign and appeared in a Moment Maker artwork.
In the film above they share their most perfect moments, alongside their perfect Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ice Chalet cocktail and what their ideas of luxury within fashion mean to them personally and created bespoke artworks.
The Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ice Chalet blend has been crafted to offer a serve which is a luxurious take on après-ski. To enhance this experience the colour blue creates powerful, emotive imagery. After all in the world of Expressionism, blue is used to convey emotions and feelings that transcend the physical world.
Johnnie Walker Blue Label and Perfect Moment unveil The Ice Chalet a 7-day celebration of the new limited edition Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ice Chalet from Monday 28th October to 3rd November at Selfridges.com London
Whiskies from the brand include Johnnie Walker Red Label, Blonde, Black Label, Double Black, Green Label, Gold Label Reserve, Aged 18 Years, and Blue Label find out more here www.johnniewalker.com
showstudio.com/projects/icechalet
