Op was mentioning about the murals that we see everywhere in Rhulk’s pyramid and I was actually wondering what the style could be called too! So allow me to exercise my design analysis muscles.
To start off, the murals and the symbols were designed by destiny universe lead concept artist Dima Goryainov. You can find the official artwork here on his ArtStation. (He has also designed other in universe branding such as the House of Light banner, Caital’s aesthetic, the Bray facilities’ diagrams, as well as guardian games).
On his Twitter he mentions pulling inspiration from avant-grade and surrealist movies The Color of Pomegranates (1969) and The Holy Mountain (1973). Both films hold distinctive design and art identities that are reflective of the time period and cultural influence that they were made in. Both films elaborate on deep, complex human emotions and are allegorically represented through surreal art. The specific style that Dima might’ve pulled as inspiration, in regards to the films, can be called Esoteric Abstractism. (A term I just made up).
Esoteric, derived from the Greek word esōterikos, means ‘within’ or ‘within hidden meaning.’ Esoteric abstract art can be found in alchemy, tarot, religious iconography, cave paintings, anything that requires complex human thought, in the world of mysticism, to be translated into identifiable symbology.
The pyramid murals falls into esoteric abstractism, because after going through the raid or the preservation mission, we can all sense and understand a deeper narrative through the minimalist imagery. The murals have transformed those basic shapes and colors into a recognizable identity.
So when we see art such as this we immediately think of him, the traveler, and the pyramid.
This piece is actually “Altarpiece No. 1” by Hilma af Klimt and I’m pretty sure it inspired the Lubrae’s Fall Mural:
So okay. The pyramid murals are unique to Rhulk’s pyramid, so it’s safe to assume that he painted, or designed them, himself. So let’s summarize the distinctive elements of his art:
1. They are a combined reflection of Rhulk’s late Lubraean culture and his newer identity with the darkness.
2. They are diagrammatic, use rudimentary shapes and geometry, and are quite colorful compared to the surrounding environment of the sunken Pyramid.
3. The murals and symbols serve multiple purposes such as narrative tools, callouts, and signs for places of interests.
4. They showcase Lubrae, the mythos of Destiny, a Prophecy, and the dichotomy of the Traveler and the Pyramid. All very long and complex stories.
5. They are through the perspective of a Disciple of Darkness.
6. And most importantly, they use shape language and imagery that is recognizable and features You, the Guardian. Very new things in the universe.
So allow me to propose the name that I feel fits this aesthetic: New Darkness Esotericism.
New Darkness Esotericism is a colorful, and abstract art form unique to Rhulk that expresses the dichotomy of the world of destiny through the lens of a disciple of darkness. It can be manifested in the form of murals, incomprehensible diagrams, symbolical motifs, signs, and even as something simple as a color on a shape.
I hope you enjoyed this unit of an analysis! Do you guys have other name ideas? I would love to know what other people think. In summary, I love Rhulk’s little art projects, they make my brain spark.
Edit: I thought I should include some name contenders.
Skótoglyphics (darkness glyphs)
theartofmadeline
jacobvanloon
izzy806
titsay
discoholicmusic
vaporwave
