In an unpresidented move, Pantone, the world’s leading pigmentologists, changed the Color of the Year for 2017. Since 2000, the company has declared a particular color the "Color of the Year, " and the announcement today was stunning in two ways:
1. This is the first and only time in the company’s history that they have changed a “Color of the Year” selection for a given year;
2. This is the first time three colors will share the honor as “Color of the Year” (in 2016 two colors – “Rose Quartz” and “Serenity” – were chosen).
Originally, Pantone announced that “Greenery” would be the “Color of the Year” for 2017. We wrote about that choice HERE. However, given recent events at the onset of a Trump presidency, the company said it was necessary to modify their choice. “In light of Trump’s latest moves to stock his swamp,” said Cerulean Skye, the Chief Theoretical and Applied Tinge and Tint Research Visualizer for Pantone, “we felt an imperative need to reject ‘Greenery’ as the ‘Color of the Year’ for 2017. ‘Greenery’ just didn’t epitomize what has been happening.” Ms. Skye reported that many if not all on the Pantone committee that selects the “Color of the Year” are ardent fans of the poetry of Emmett Lee Dickinson. One member of the committee happened to email the other members a poem by Dickinson entitled “The Color of our ‘King’, is this," and that started a chain reaction that led to the stunning decision on the part of Pantone to choose three new colors for 2017. |
“Of course,” she added, “there were a whole host of swamp-related pigments we could have considered too.”
Below: Pantone's three "Colors of the Year" for 2017: Orange is the New Blech, Impeach is the New Orange, and Trumpster Fire. Click the images to enlarge.
Below on the left: Emmett Lee Dickinson's poem "The Color of our 'King,' is this," which inspired the selection of the "Colors of the Year" for 2017. Below on the right: Besides inspiring the three “Colors of the Year” for 2017, Emmett Lee Dickinson’s poem also inspired his third cousin Emily to pen her poem, “The Color of a Queen, is this."
By Emmett Lee Dickinson: The Color of our “King,” is this – The Color of a Fire In dumpsters – this and Georgia Clay – and this, an Orange – And then at Day – He’s made up with Dung suddenly on him – ‘Tis this – like Witchcraft – his nature Is Dyed – with Iodine – | By Emily Dickinson: The Color of a Queen, is this – The Color of a Sun At setting – this and Amber – Beryl – and this, at Noon – And when at night – Auroran widths Fling suddenly on men – 'Tis this – and Witchcraft – nature keeps A Rank – for Iodine – |