For Visionaire No. 56 SOLAR (originally published in 2009), the NYC-based art and fashion pub developed a special UV-sensitive ink that changed black-and-white images to color when exposed to direct sunlight. Visionaire is reviving the SOLAR ink for a special collection of T-shirts in collaboration with Gap, which will be available at this year’s Frieze Art Fair, where Gap is operating an outdoor retail space designed by the architects Leong Leong.
“Since we knew the collection was coming out in May, our immediate inspiration was summer, color, and sun,” says Cecilia Dean, Visionaire cofounder.
The T-shirts feature artwork by Alex Katz, Yoko Ono, Richard Phillips, Ugo Rondinone, Peter Lindbergh, François Berthoud, and Roe Ethridge, some of which were published inVisionaire. When exposed to direct sunlight, the black-and-white prints on the tees turn to color—seen here in GIFs.
As with any sensible collaboration, this collection benefits both sides. “This is a great partnership,” says Rebekka Bay, Gap’s creative director. “[The collection] intersects fashion and art and allows a broader audience the opportunity to experience both brands.”
The T-shirts will be available in key global Gap flagship stores, select Visionaire retailers, Gap Boxpark in London, Gap White Space in Tokyo, and Gap White Space in New York, which will be dedicated to the Visionaire partnership from May 9-18.
