BLUEblue - special multimedia show designed by Ed Annink featuring the cult colour blue

Immortality, peace, loyalty - blue is a global cult and cultural colour. Blue bestows peace and disseminates freshness. In many nations around the blue planet, the primary colour blue plays a major role in tradition and religion and occupies a special status in art and culture.

Star designer Ed Annink has been tracking the blue phenomenon for years. Now the Dutchman has devoted a special exhibition to his fascination for the cool colour. His creation "BLUEblue" will be on display as part of Ambiente in Frankfurt am Main from 20 to 24 February. The largest international consumer goods fair fulfils the spatial requirements for the global phenomenon blue. Visitors will be able to experience Annink's special multimedia show in the spacious foyer of Halls 5.1 and 6.1.

In "BLUEblue" Ed Annink sheds light on the cultural and linguistic context of the entire blue spectrum from indigo to azure, its significance in nature and its use in art and product design. He fathoms the historic and contemporary impact of the cult colour and reveals to his audience a multi-layered blue kaleidoscope. For this purpose, Annink has created a screened-off area in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the fair. The theme is brought to life multimedially with the aid of projections, video and audio installation. "Blue moods" by Miles Davis provides the mood music throughout - a more appropriate piece of music one can?t imagine.

The designer will also be presenting a wide variety of blue product designs as part of his installation. Numerous manufacturers and designers have devoted entire product ranges to the colour blue. Annink will be presenting their products in "BLUEblue", featuring a host of blue creations, from lamps, fabrics, and bags to bowls, glasses and bottles. Trade buyers with an interest in these products will find the relevant manufacturers at the consumer goods fair.

Blue - an exceptional colour
In many cultures around the world, blue plays an important, mainly positive, role. In India, blue symbolises Krishna, the God, who goes through life singing and dancing, full of happiness and love. In the USA blue stands for stability, in France for peace, in Asia for wealth, in China for immortality and in Tibet for consciousness. Blue is a traditional and one of the most popular colours for clothing, from the royal robes of bygone eras to the contemporary business shirt.

Blue design is omnipresent. Blue plays an important role in the public arena - on road and traffic signs pointing the way to the airport or railway station. Internationally famous brand labels include Nivea's blue box with white lettering and Chiquita's blue and yellow label . Blue bottles filled with water, prosecco and detergents tempt the consumer from the shelves of stores around the world.

Blue symbolises coolness, freshness, virginity, peace and space. But blue is more than just blue. Azure, lapis lazuli, royal, navy, indigo and turquoise represent but a few of its forms of expression. In nature, the palette of blues is practically limitless. The sea, sky, stones and bird plumage reveal 1001 wonderful shades of blue.

But blue is also part of our everyday life and language. Sometimes we feel "blue", when "blue Monday" descends upon us "out of the blue" after a great weekend. Before we know it, we're between "the devil and the deep blue sea" and then it's good to have a "true blue" friend.

At Ambiente - International Frankfurt Fair - a total of 4,723 exhibitors from 87 countries are making presentations on a record 190,000 square metres of exhibition space (net) from 20 to 24 February 2004. Ambiente is the world's biggest consumergoods fair with three leading trade fairs held under the umbrella of the Ambiente brand:

World of Table, Kitchen & Housewares - leading international trade fair for the table top, kitchen and homeware segments

World of Gifts Unlimited - leading international trade fair for presents and gifts

World of Interiors - leading international trade fair for the latest homestyle trends.

Waterbar a project by Ed Annink also at the Ambiente 2004