Vantablack is a material developed in the UK by Surrey NanoSystems in 2014. It is one of the darkest substances known, absorbing up to 99.965% of visible light. This has led to Vantablack being described as the “blackest black” and the “world’s blackest material”.
However, there has been some controversy around Vantablack and whether it is actually illegal for artists other than Anish Kapoor to use it. Anish Kapoor is a British sculptor who was granted exclusive artistic rights to use Vantablack by Surrey NanoSystems in 2016. This exclusivity deal has caused frustration among other artists who would like to work with the ultra-black material.
So is Vantablack actually illegal for other artists to use? Let’s take a closer look at the details around Vantablack and its usage restrictions.
What is Vantablack?
Vantablack is made using a technology called carbon nanotubes. Carbon nanotubes are tiny carbon structures that are grown vertically on a surface to form a dense “forest” of tubes. When light hits Vantablack, instead of bouncing off, it becomes trapped and is continually deflected amongst the nanotubes, eventually becoming absorbed and converted to heat.
This nanotube structure gives Vantablack its record-breaking light absorption properties. The original version, known as Vantablack S-VIS, absorbs 99.965% of light at 663 nanometers. The newer Vantablack VBx versions absorb up to 99.995% of visible light. For comparison, other ultra-black materials such as black acrylic, which looks extremely dark to the human eye, only absorbs up to 99% of visible light.
The Exclusivity Agreement
In 2016, Surrey NanoSystems granted exclusive rights to use Vantablack S-VIS in art to Anish Kapoor’s studio. This means that Kapoor is currently the only artist who can legally incorporate Vantablack S-VIS into artworks and installations.
Kapoor has created several notable pieces using Vantablack, including partisan whirlpool Void. Other artists must seek permission from Kapoor’s studio to use Vantablack S-VIS, which is rarely granted.
This exclusivity agreement has caused controversy in the art world, with many artists criticizing the monopoly on using such a unique material. Surrey NanoSystems defends the agreement by saying Vantablack was developed for industrial and scientific applications, not art, and that exclusivity allows them to monitor its use in sensitive applications.
Is Vantablack Completely Illegal for Other Artists?
While Kapoor has exclusive rights to Vantablack S-VIS, Surrey NanoSystems has developed other Vantablack variants that are available for purchase:
| Vantablack Version | Light Absorption | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Vantablack S-VIS | 99.965% | Exclusive to Anish Kapoor |
| Vantablack VBx | Up to 99.995% | Available for purchase |
So technically, it is not illegal for other artists to use the Vantablack VBx products in their work. However, while available, these variants are still restricted by Surrey NanoSystems to specific buyers and applications. Purchasing VBx requires extensive approval processes and end-user agreements. This means VBx is not readily accessible to most artists.
There are also other ultra-black coatings on the market not made by Surrey NanoSystems. For example, MIT engineers developed a nanotube-based black coating called Integricote Black 3.0 that absorbs over 99.5% of visible light. Products like these provide alternative options for artists wanting to work with super-black materials.
Artistic Responses
The Vantablack controversy has sparked discussion within artistic circles about access to new technologies and materials. Some view the exclusivity agreement as contrary to the spirit of artistic creativity and innovation.
As a protest against the Vantablack restrictions, artist Stuart Semple developed his own super-black paint called Black 3.0 in 2019. Semple’s paint is available for purchase by anyone except Anish Kapoor. This playfully defiant act has allowed other artists to join in opposing what they see as an unfair monopoly.
Other artists have created thought-provoking works focused on the idea of restricted blackness. In 2016, Frederik de Wilde created a once-black monochrome painting that was intentionally left outside, allowing mold to grow on it. The piece, titled NanoBlck-Sqr #1, deteriorated into a palette of colors as it became covered in microorganisms. It was a conceptual exploration of the limits of exclusive ownership of a color.
Conclusion
In summary, Vantablack itself is not completely illegal for artists other than Anish Kapoor to use in their work. The specific S-VIS version remains exclusively licensed to Kapoor’s studio, but other Vantablack formulations are available through regulated sales. However, the spirit of the exclusivity agreement goes against the principle of open access to new creative tools. This has spurred discussion within the art world about ownership of emerging technologies and prompted creative responses protesting perceived monopolization. While not banned outright, Vantablack remains practically restricted from artistic applications beyond those approved by Kapoor and Surrey NanoSystems.
