People Begin to Fly - Yves Klein

A striking composition by Yves Klein featuring ethereal human figures suspended in a field of his signature International Klein Blue.

People Begin to Fly is a work by the French artist Yves Klein, created in 1961. It belongs to a series of works that explore the concept of levitation and the liberation of the human body from gravity. Klein, known for his obsession with the colour blue, utilised his signature International Klein Blue (IKB) to create a sense of infinite space and weightlessness. The composition features several human figures, rendered in a ghostly, ethereal manner, suspended against a field of intense blue pigment. The figures appear to be floating or falling through an indeterminate void. Klein achieved this effect by using a technique involving sponges and dry pigment, which allows the colour to retain a powdery, matte texture that absorbs light rather than reflecting it. This creates a visual experience where the boundary between the figures and the background becomes blurred. This piece reflects Klein's interest in the immaterial and his desire to move beyond traditional painting. By depicting the human form in a state of flight, he invites the viewer to consider the possibility of transcending physical limitations. The lack of a horizon line or any grounding elements reinforces the sensation of being untethered from the earth. The figures are not portraits of specific individuals, but rather archetypal representations of humanity in motion. The work remains a clear example of Klein's experimental approach to medium and his pursuit of a spiritual dimension within art. His use of blue serves as a medium for the viewer to enter a state of contemplation, detached from the material world.