#drawingtheunknown

CATEGORY 5: THE EXTRATERRESTRIAL

The design of the extraterrestrial is by far the most imaginative source of artist interpretation that I have researched into whilst writing this blog. Unlike folkloric tales and the paranormal, which often produce visual stimuli based on historic accounts and descriptions. The role of the extraterrestrial in artistic design relies heavily on conscious artist interpretation rather than historic or mythical descriptions. Whilst some have reported the ‘discoveries’ of alien craft and extraterrestrial life, the majority of the human population have not payed witness to an extraterrestrial encounter. This being said, it appears that the majority of artist interpretation in film and illustrative media lend ideas from depictions that were generated previously. The standard interpretation of an alien is well known to most, and so to alleviate the problem of repetitive design across creative media, a number of interpretations have a tendency to create unique alien designs to provide contrast from the stereotypical conception.

UFO’s on the other hand, through the use of photography (regardless of the photograph’s authenticity), have provided a more influential design into the appearance of extraterrestrial craft. Often reflecting the common flying saucer that is entwined in Extraterrestrial American culture.

CATEGORY 5: THE EXTRATERRESTRIAL (VIII)

Probe

CATEGORY 5: THE EXTRATERRESTRIAL (VII)

Alien Invasion of the Media

The role of the extraterrestrial, and more specifically aliens, has played an influential role on various forms of media over the years. The four images above all represent different interpretations of an alien for three different audiences.

The first image depicts an alien from the Disney Pixar film ‘Toy Story’. This alien retains the green coloured skin often associated with aliens, but contrasts facially with the inclusion of a third eye. The primary audience for this film are children, and so the creators of this alien have amplified the friendly looking approach by incorporating the design into a toy. This alien appears quite stocky and short, as a toy would, but doesn't incorporate some of the more sinister interpretations that we associate with aliens, notable the large, dark eyes.

These sinister characteristics are highly prominent in the second and third images however, representing aliens from the ‘Alien’ franchise and ‘War of the Worlds’ 2005 movie respectively. Both of which are aimed at a more mature, adult and young-adult audience. These aliens depict unique characteristics that are not generally associated with conceptualised aliens. The alien in the second image appears all black in colouration, adding to the malevolent demeanour that the creature posses. Although humanoid in form, this alien, known as a Xenomorph, is far from human in design when bearing reference to the creature’s head and external limbs. The third image from the science fiction disaster film ‘War of the Worlds’ depicts a different translation of an alien that walks on four limbs as opposed to two. This alien retains the dark, black eyes that are associated with aliens, but the head and body of the alien overall is very different in style and interpretation.

The fourth and final image represents a scene from 1999 pinball machine ‘Revenge from Mars’. These aliens are coloured in green and appear humanoid in appearance like many alien interpretations. The only difference here being the inclusion of two extra libs on either side of the alien’s torso to produce 4 working arms. 

When comparing the four specimens of alien interpretation above, I find the aliens in the fourth image the most interesting in design. Nostalgic reasoning aside, these aliens incorporate a complex design that draws influence from common interpretations whilst merging with original aesthetic features unique to the game. It is interesting to note however that all the aliens above appear identical when compared to another alien in that franchise, film, or game. The obvious visual examples of this lies in the second and fourth image, where all the aliens appear identical, with the exception of the larger alien in the fourth image. This being said, a common interpretation of an alien is the concept of singularity. The majority, if not all alien and extraterrestrial interpretations focus on identical alien designs for all aliens in that given film, comic book, or game. 

All in all, the overall design of extraterrestrial life in artist interpretation appears to vary depending on the intended audience or artistic style applied, often drawing reference from stereotypical alien designs. Yet the design of characteristics between aliens that appear in the same franchise appear almost identical.

Image Sources:

http://vignette4.wikia.nocookie.net/pixar/images/a/ae/Alien.jpg

http://static.comicvine.com/uploads/original/3/38826/877172-alienwarrior.jpg

http://listfan.xyz/wp-content/uploads/attack-from-mars-5.png

CATEGORY 5: THE EXTRATERRESTRIAL (VI)

The Nazca Lines

The Nazca lines are a fascinating sight that lie in the Nazca desert in southern Peru. Not only are these works of artist interesting visually, but they are unique in the sense that they can only be seen in their true forms from high above the ground. Preserved by the isolation and dryness of the desert in which they reside, the Nazca Lines have existed for over one thousand years and still intrigue the minds of many as to their original purpose. Some historians believe that the lines were created by the Nazca people as an offering to their gods, who could look down from the heavens and bear witness to them. Others have theorised that the purpose of the lines lies with the concept surrounding communication with extraterrestrial beings.

Whatever their purpose, I have chosen to incorporate the Nazca Lines into this category due to their hypothetical link with the extraterrestrial. Which is interesting, as one of the lines is believed to depict an astronaut. This depiction illustrates a figure with an unusually round head and very large eyes. Two common traits associated with alien appearance. The figures right hand points towards the sky, which some believe is an insight into the previous encounter with extraterrestrial life.

Personally, I find the Nazca lines extremely interesting. Not only in their design, but also in their visualisation method. The lines are seen best when looking from directly above, but the mountains to the north and east provide a little insight into the lines’ overall appearance above ground. Despite their huge size, the lines appear to have been created very accurately, with all lines running smoothly and in some instances, directly parallel to one another.

Image Sources:

http://www.greentracks.com/images/Nazca/spider.jpg

http://www.redicecreations.com/ul_img/24592nazca_bird.jpg

http://beforeitsnews.com/contributor/upload/30080/images/lines4.jpg

http://monumentalloss.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Nazcan11.jpg

http://www.go2peru.com/images/naz_mapa_lineas.jpg

CATEGORY 5: THE EXTRATERRESTRIAL (V)

The Roswell Incident

After researching into artist interpretations of various alien encounters, I decided to create an image of my own which draws influences from the 1947 Roswell Incident. In the July of 1947 a local sheep rancher reported the crash landing of an unknown craft after the events of a thunder storm. The debris from the crash was quickly accumulated a day later when the local newspaper published a report on the ‘capture’ of ‘a flying disc’. The US Government later disclosed that the aircraft was in fact a surveillance balloon that had crashed during the storm. Many conspiracies have since emerged relating to the Roswell Incident, and to this day is believed to be one of the biggest cover-ups by the US Government.

When designing the layout for this piece, I drew inspiration from several stereotypical Roswell related gimmicks. The inclusion of the UFO and the alien come from the suspected UFO crash at this sight. The green alien itself drawing characteristics from common interpretations of grey and green aliens. The year and the planet on the character’s shirt relate to the year of the incident and the association with outer space respectively. The scene is set in a typical south-western American desert not too similar to those that surround the town of Roswell.

It is interesting to note that the crash of 1947 has greatly influenced the culture of Roswell, becoming a highly visited tourist attraction and even incorporating a visual interpretation of an alien into the town’s official seal.

Image Source:

CATEGORY 5: THE EXTRATERRESTRIAL (IV)

Ancient Aliens

Cave art and rock paintings have been discovered across number of ancient sites where locals would decorate the inside of caves with vivid depictions. The majority of these depictions focused on the natural environment. Encompassing animals, such as horses and cattle, alongside images of neanderthals hunting into one large image that stretched across the cave walls. A number of cave paintings discovered have depicted rather strange and unusual depictions that do not match animals and humans that are easily identifiable. Now some cave paintings, notably those in the Northern Hemisphere, have depicted extinct animals such as the Mammoth. Although the Mammoth no longer exists, we are aware of its presence in history and can identify cave paintings depicting this large animal as a Mammoth. Other depictions are less recognisable however and have left the founders of these caves paintings with a question mark resting above their heads.

Val Camonica

The first and second images are both cave paintings from the North Italian valley of Val Camonica. Both of these archaic paintings look substantially different from cave paintings that we are usually accustomed to. 

The first image does not represent a photograph taken of the cave paintings like the other images that I have gathered. Instead this image appears to have been edited to provide a contrast between the darker coloured paint and the lighter coloured background. Nevertheless, the two humanoid-like figures in the centre of this piece bear a resemblance to the common grey alien conception facially, rather than of a human.

The second image clearly depicts two humanoid figures, although they appear to be wearing space helmets associated with astronauts. A concept developed thousands of years after the creation of these paintings. The figures can also be seen holding something in their hands, a tool or device which bears no resemblance to other ancient instruments.

The Bandiagara Escarpment

The Dogon people native to this region of Mali, Africa, have attracted the curiosity of many an astronomer in recent years due to their pre-cognition relating to the stars and other celestial bodies. The Dogon creation myth states that a race of extraterrestrial people, known as the Nommos, visited Earth many thousand of years ago from the Sirius Star system. The Dogon claim that the Nommos presented them with a vast source of knowledge relating to the astronomical features of the sky. Gaining a knowledge and understanding of various celestial bodies before they were discovered by Western astronomers and scientists. The third image depicts a number of rock paintings produced by the Dogon which some believe me recall the existence of extraterrestrial life. I find these paintings most interesting due to their bold outlines that heavily defines their character.

Tassili N’Ajjer Park

The Sahara Desert is famed for its archaeological discoveries, providing thousands of ancient sites that reveal the illustrated life of Earth’s peoples and its past. The Tassili N’Ajjer Park is no exception to the rule, administering an insight into life dating back to Neolithic times when the area was likely to have been a savannah rather than a desert. A number of cave paintings, including the fourth image above, appear to depict what is believed to be an ancient astronaut. Many of the depictions interestingly appear to wear clothing typically associated with modern day astronauts, most notably the inclusion of a space helmet. The image above depicts the figure with a dome shaped head with various lines traveling across the cranium. With two circular holes that appear to be eyes. Some have theorised the dome is in fact as space helmet worn by an astronaut believed to be of extraterrestrial origin.

The Wandjina

The fifth, sixth, and seventh images are my favourite interpretations of cave paintings that I have discovered relating to possible extraterrestrial life. My curiosity does question their authenticity, but for that reason alone I find them incredibly interesting. These rock paintings originate from Kimberley, in Western Australia. According to Aboriginal mythology, the paintings were created by the Wandjina, powerful cloud and rain spirits charged with maintaining the Earth’s fertility. The Wandjina, who are depicted on the rock walls all have a pair of eyes, a nose, yet no mouth. The exclusion of the mouth relates to Aboriginal mythology, creating a bizarre, yet strangely fascinating interpretation of extraterrestrial life. In 2007, the Wandjina caught the eye of the Australian public, with many Wandjina drawings appearing as graffiti or street art scattered across the streets of Perth, Western Australia. The eighth image represents a street art interpretation of the Wandjina rock paintings, drawing reference from the spirits’ original design whilst incorporating subtle newer details such as the spikes around the head.

Extraterrestrial Art?

The role of the extraterrestrial and its influence over ancient and traditional art forms is a curious and interesting predicament to say the least. Whilst the majority of art depictions on rock and cave walls can be translated by contemporary understandings, the lack of knowledge towards other paintings I find interesting. It would appear from the images above as a visual source of evidence that contemporary interpretations of alien life share characteristics present within the drawings of our ancestors. The concept of large eyes seems to be a common theme in the drawings above, most notably the eyes of the Wandjina. With common interpretations of grey aliens possessing large and intimidating black eyes. Whether these drawings do or do not represent encounters with extraterrestrial life, they do depict unusual styled humanoid figures that still leave this question unanswered. If these paintings are not extraterrestrial of origin, then what are they?

The website below provides some more interesting images and information relating to extraterrestrial life integrated into art history that I have not discussed above.

http://www.crystalinks.com/ufohistory.html

Image Sources:

http://www.crystalinks.com/ufohistory.html

https://algorhythym.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/07.jpg

http://www.mediastorehouse.com/p/249/dogon-cave-paintings-1599791.jpg

http://www.crystalinks.com/ufo6000.jpg

http://i89.servimg.com/u/f89/12/39/22/02/ufo11_13.jpg

http://press.anu.edu.au/hrj/2009_02/images/Figure10.14

Book Source:

CATEGORY 5: THE EXTRATERRESTRIAL (III)

Alien Encounters

There have been reports of alien encounters across all continents of the globe, with exception of Antarctica. ‘Encounters’ with what are generally accepted to be other-worldly entities have impacted on various cultures and civilisations since recordings of extraterrestrial beings have been discovered. Unusual cave drawings found in sparsely populated areas of the world have been found to depict unusually figured humanoids that some believe are ancient interpretations of aliens. I will discuss these types of drawings in the next blog entry relating to how extraterrestrial beings may have influenced archaic art depictions. As for this blog entry I will focus solely on more contemporary interpretations of what is believed to be extraterrestrial activity.

The Rendlesham Forest Incident

The first of the five images above represents the Rendlesham Forest Incident that occurred in the December of 1980. This piece was created by American artist, Micah Lidberg. I find this piece interesting in design when compared to other depictions of UFO encounters. The majority of UFO artist interpretations will encourage a photo-realistic style to their art in an attempt to make their piece look all that more convincing, as photographical evidence is one of the, if not most important medium as to prove the existence of UFO’s. Lidberg’s interpretation is interesting as it applies a cartoon styled effect to an alleged event. Lidberg’s interpretation portrays an encounter of the second kind, and as such no alien life is present in this image. Despite this however, Lidberg’s UFO appears similar in design to the traditional flying saucer, yet appears more like a human eye glaring at the viewer. Lidberg’s depiction of this event is one of my favourite artist interpretations of an alien encounter as I find his style reflects a different sense of understanding into common perceptions of alien life.

The Skies of Nuremberg

The second image takes us away from 1980′s England and to 16th Century Nuremberg where local citizens were astounded by the events that lit the sky just above them. Reflecting the nature of its time, this image was produced by German printmaker, Hans Glaser. To those unaware of the story surrounding this piece, you wouldn’t be mistaken into thinking that this image represented something other than an alien encounter. Initially I thought that this piece reflected something of a religious nature due to the high frequency of crosses present. As it turns out, my initial thought wasn’t too far from the beaten track. Glaser chose to incorporate a number of crosses into the sky of this piece as citizens on the ground below believed that the display of lights was a strange act of God intended to persecute sinners. Similarly to the first image, this image represents a close encounter of the second kind, as no animated figure of an alien is present. There are in fact UFO’s decorating the sky however. Where? you might ask. The long cylinders in this image were believed to be UFO’s travelling across the sky, realising spheres of colour, rods, and crosses into the sky to which those below were witness. Glaser’s depiction of a UFO appeared long before the conception of the flying saucer, and thus was not influenced at all by this design. This is interesting to note, as this may be one of the few images produced before the traditional Americanised UFO depiction that does not reference a UFO as a flying saucer.

The Flatwoods Monster

The third and fourth images represent artists’ interpretations of the Flatwoods Monster which is believed to be a close encounter of the third kind. I find the constant similarity in design between theses two images intriguing as it would suggest that one is more or less a translation of the other. With the third image likely to be the translation of the original. The third image showcases a very colourful interpretation of the monster being observed by Kathlyn May, who was believed to have first gave witness the creature. The monster itself appears very imaginative in design, completely defying common interpretations such as grey and green aliens. Due to this interesting blend of aesthetic qualities, the monster and its interpretation has subsequently integrated itself into a number of video games.

Harashagahama

The firth and final image depicts an alien encounter during the spring of 1803 in the Japanese village of Harashagahama. This image depicts a simple pen and ink drawing of the alien craft which many locals reported drifting along the waves towards the shore. The tale includes the sighting of a young woman with red hair and pale skin emerging from the vessel, although it is unclear if the woman pictured in the image is the young alien woman or a bystander. The only clue to the woman’s origin being the darker coloured hair in conjunction to the alien’s red hair. Suggesting that the woman in this picture is in fact a witness to the event. In appearance, the alien craft presents itself as a saucer shaped vessel, similar in description to the classic flying saucer.

After researching into the four historic encounters above, it is clear that each interpretation of each respective event recalls the scene in the artist’s distinctive style. There appears to be notable similarity between the depictions of the alien craft in the first and fifth images, each of them appearing to represent a flying saucer. Whilst the second image of the Nuremberg sky depicts cylinder-like vessels instead. The role of artist imagination has a heavy influence over drawing the unknown in the form of alien encounters. These extraterrestrial encounters, until proven otherwise, are primarily an enchanting form of fiction that ignites the imagination through means of curiosity.

Image Sources:

http://idsgn.org/images/fresh-and-hungry/micahlidberg2__full.jpg

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f1/Himmelserscheinung_über_Nürnberg_vom_14._April_1561.jpg

http://flatwoodsmonster.com/monsterinmaypainting-rev2.jpg

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/50/Flatwoods_monster.gif

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/50/d0/08/50d0086646ffced9c0d18aeb7a9afbde.jpg

Artist Link:

MICAH LIDBERG: http://www.micahlidberg.com

Book Source:

CATEGORY 5: THE EXTRATERRESTRIAL (II)

Unidentified Flying Objects

Artist interpretations of alien craft, or more specifically UFO’s, have a tendency to be very generic in design and composition. Since the 1950′s, when UFO sightings became increasingly popular in the US, the common interpretation of a UFO described a flying saucer like disc that would rotate in the sky. This depiction is often regarded as a general observation of what a UFO would, or should, look like. With many hoax photographs and artist depictions favouring disc-shaped craft in their images as opposed to air craft notable in appearance to military design.

The two images above, produced by unnamed artists, depict two interpretations of a UFO hovering above the ground. It is clear from both of these images that the inspiration from these pieces can trace their influences back to the same source. UFO’s are usually depicted as being dark, grey, or metallic in colour and design, often releasing a beam of light from the base of the craft that points straight to the ground. This description is identical to portray of the UFO in the first image which incorporates all the stereotypical gimmicks and associations with a UFO into a single image. The second image, too, follows this formula. Albeit it that the time of that day depicted by the lighter colours and light blue of the sky has rendered the artist’s decision to not include a beam of light extending from the craft. The only remaining common feature not present in either of these pieces is the inclusion of flashing lights that decorate the craft’s exterior. Although I feel that in this instance, the respective artists of each of these pieces had purposely chosen not to include flashing lights for the purpose of the surrounding environment and colour scheme present.

Both of these images, along with the majority of UFO interpretations that can be found on the internet bear a resemblance to UFO depictions that have integrated their way into American culture. The flying saucer is an example that traditional symbolism has affected the way in which artists draw the unknown in the form of UFO’s and other extraterrestrial space craft. And although artist interpretations of alien craft relating to comic books and film have advanced greatly aesthetically over time, the original flying saucer depiction is widely regarded as the most well known UFO portrayal.

Image Sources:

http://poolga.com/shared/images/poolgas/ipad3_1444.jpg