It’s time to put a hold on all home makeovers because Pantone is here to make you rethink your design direction. The global color authority has officially named Viva Magenta (Pantone 18-1750) as its Color of the Year for 2023. The crimson-red hue is statement-making yet not overpowering, leaving room for creative interpretation.
A balance between warm and cool tones, Viva Magenta is “inspired by the red of cochineal, one of the most precious dyes belonging to the natural dye family as well as one of the strongest and brightest the world has known,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, in a press release.
Like Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2022, Viva Magenta thrives in both physical and virtual worlds. The company points to how the last few years have encouraged self-transformation. “As a result, space has been created where we are free to explore and be accepted for exactly who we feel we are, whether it be in a cybernetic universe, a conventional space, or a magical blend of both,” said Laurie Pressman, vice president of the Pantone Color Institute, in the release. “We are creating a dynamic world that encourages experimentation, one that leverages the virtual within the physical realm and emboldens our strength and spirit to explore groundbreaking possibilities.”
Pantone took the concept a step further by partnering with Huge, a growth acceleration company, to create the “Magentaverse” using the AI generative tool Midjourney. The universe explores the harmony and tensions between nature and technology. Browse through the depictions, and you’ll notice plenty of trees, flowers, and plants that create a mystical setting.
Explore the Magentaverse:
Not only that, but Pantone is opening its first exhibition dedicated to its Color of the Year that anyone can visit. The immersive experience at Artechouse’s Miami location features various rooms with textures and interactive elements that’ll make you feel like you’ve stepped right into the Magentaverse. It opens on December 3, as part of Art Basel Miami Beach, and runs through spring 2023. You can learn more and buy tickets here.
If you’re excited to bring Viva Magenta into your home, the color can be woven into a variety of palettes—whether it’s the rich color in a sea of muted hues or a fitting addition to a vibrant collection of colors. You can incorporate it through patterned wallpaper and throw pillows, or use it to enhance your home gym through fitness equipment. Tap into your creativity!
Veranda December 2, 2022 (Kelly Allen)