It is the color of ocean tides, a starry dusk sky, and a pair of vintage Levis. Indigo blue is all around, but harnessing this hue is a complex feat of chemistry and botanical transformation. The exhibition Blue Gold: The Art and Science of Indigo, opening at Mingei International Museum in Balboa Park on September 14, 2024, combines art, craft, science, and history to explore this color’s past and present. The show is among more than 60 exhibitions and programs presented as part of Getty’s 2024 PST ART initiative returning in September with its latest regional edition, PST ART: Art & Science Collide.
Blue Gold explores the extraordinary process of transforming plants into pigments. Indigo has a long and multifaceted history of cultivation, production, and distribution that will resonate with anyone who loves the color blue and shares a curiosity for the chemistry and indigenous knowledge behind its process. Over 180 works representing 30 countries include featured objects from Mingei’s permanent collection, works on loan from national and international organizations, and commissioned work created for this exhibition by gifted artists and craftspeople, including Christina Kim and Porfirio Gutiérrez, among others.
The indigo dye process involves grinding leaves from the Indigofera plant into powder, boiling the powder into a rich liquid, and fermenting it to complete a transformative chemical reaction. Indigo dye has been used for thousands of years, spanning all continents, cultures, and methods. However, its beauty and ubiquity have eclipsed the unpleasant realities of its growth and manufacture, including hard labor and pollution and its association with colonialism and slavery. This exhibition highlights the importance of nuanced conversations that celebrate beauty without skipping over a grim past. From 7th century textiles to 20th century kimonos, the exhibition not only highlights brilliant works of antique to contemporary art and craft from Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas, but also examines indigo’s many other uses in the realms of science, spiritual practice, and more. Mingei Director of Exhibitions and Chief Curator, Dr. Emily Hanna, shared with GB Magazine that “Indigo, a deep blue dye derived from green plants, has been used by cultures across the world. The title of this exhibition alludes to its value as a commodity, but also elevates its aesthetic worth.”
Located in Balboa Park, Mingei International Museum collects, preserves and exhibits folk art, craft and design from all eras and cultures of the world. Upon entering the gallery, visitors will be immersed in a sea of blue hues, indigo-dyed objects, specimens, and stories. In Mingei Studio, young visitors can interact with kid-friendly, educational activities and hands-on demonstrations that walk through the steps of indigo dyeing from plant to pigment.
This exhibition is made possible with support from Getty through its PST ART: Art & Science Collide initiative. Additional support was provided by Gordon Brodfuehrer, the Harold and Colene Brown Family Foundation, Catherine and Robert Palmer, and the City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture.
www.Mingei.org
