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article culture schedule Dec 4, 2025 visibility 2 link 6 artists, 2 galleries

pantone color of the year white 2724115

Pantone has announced 11-4201 Cloud Dancer, a soft shade of bright white, as its 2026 Color of the Year. This marks the first time the company has chosen a white hue since launching the initiative in 1999, following last year's Mocha Mousse. The decision, announced by Pantone Color Institute vice president Laurie Pressman, is framed as a symbol of calm and a desire for a fresh start in a frenetic society, drawing comparisons to Kazimir Malevich's Suprematist compositions and Robert Ryman's white paintings. The announcement has sparked debate over its cultural and political implications, with critics noting the choice's potential elitism and its resonance amid ongoing racial tensions.

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pantone color institute executive cloud dancer controversy 1234765913

Pantone has selected “Cloud Dancer,” a shade of white, as its 2026 Color of the Year, sparking backlash on social media and in some media outlets. Critics have accused the company of “whitewashing” and being out of touch, particularly given the current political discourse and rollback of DEI programs. Some have also suggested the color signals wealth and elitism. Pantone’s executive director, Leatrice Eiseman, defended the choice in a statement, saying it was based on emotional and creative resonance, not politics or ideology, and that the color represents relaxation, reflection, and creativity.