Vantablack is a material made from carbon nanotubes that absorbs 99.965% of visible light, making it the darkest pigment known. Its ability to nearly eliminate reflections and shadows creates a surprising visual illusion: when applied to a surface, it can make the contours of objects disappear and details fade, resulting in a sense of infinite depth or a "loss" of the object in absolute black space.

When applied to a surface, it can make the contours of objects disappear and details fade, resulting in a sense of infinite depth or a "loss" of the object in absolute black space. 

Vantablack was developed by the British company Scientific and Technical Glass (STG) in collaboration with the University of Surrey, and it was originally conceived for aerospace applications, such as reducing radiation in satellites. However, its artistic potential quickly caught the attention of the creative community.

The introduction of Vantablack to the art world became controversial in 2016 when the artist Anish Kapoor, known for his ambitious sculptures and public works, acquired exclusive rights to its use in the artistic field. This exclusivity sparked a heated debate, as many artists felt that no single creator should have access to such material, while others defended the idea that materials should be free for everyone.

Many artists felt that no single creator should have access to such material, while others defended the idea that materials should be free for everyone.

Despite the controversy, Vantablack began to be used by some artists to explore new forms of perception in art. Works created with this material can challenge our understanding of space and form, creating visual illusions that feel both mysterious and fascinating. The total darkness produced by Vantablack creates a deep void that can make figures disappear, transforming the painting or sculpture into something more abstract, an almost mystical contemplative experience.

Works created with this material can challenge our understanding of space and form, creating visual illusions that feel both mysterious and fascinating. 

The use of Vantablack goes beyond its impressive visual qualities. This material invites us to question our relationship with color, light, and darkness. In many ways, Vantablack reflects contemporary art's concerns with perception, technology, and the ephemeral nature of human experiences.

In many ways, Vantablack reflects contemporary art's concerns with perception, technology, and the ephemeral nature of human experiences.

For example, Vantablack can be interpreted as a metaphor for total absorption without space for reflection or interpretation. By creating a surface that suppresses contours, the material can symbolize the transience of existence or the impossibility of fully understanding the world around us.

Vantablack can be interpreted as a metaphor for total absorption without space for reflection or interpretation.