Space Artists's Concepts for Unseen Planets

Check out npr  to see the process behind designing concept art for newly discovered planets. It is fascinating!

'This artist's impression shows a best guess of what the surface of the planet 

Proxima b might look like, as it orbits the red dwarf star Proxima Centauri, the 

closest star to our solar system. Maybe Mars was the model?'

M. Kornmesser/ESO

Writing Prompts from Gediminas Pranckevicius' Art

The ethereal, surreal art of Gediminas Pranckevicius

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Warped 2D Grids

"Made out of thousands of tiny little triangles, these delicately thatched composites strike a pleasing visual chord through their careful balance of negative and positive space. Created by LA-based artist Katy Ann Gilmore, the organic geometric images are realized through a variety of influences including mathematics, nature, and visual art. The tiny latched shapes spread outward until final pieces emerge, looking like hand-crafted topographic maps.

Gilmore studied mathematics and visual arts, and the experience gained in each field shines through in her unique style. Her layered, two-dimensional drawings explore the concept of perpendicular planes and the distortion of three-dimensional space. Some areas of the images recede where others spring forward, creating the illusion of a finely woven net gripping the land's curvature.

Gilmore’s breathtaking work was initially inspired by a curiosity for how 2D grids would look when warped in all directions, and how the fluctuation of empty space around physical objects affects our perception of solidity. Her work draws thousands of tiny elements together to form beautiful realizations of mathematical concepts through the application of an artistic eye."

mymodernmet

 

 

Global Fabric

 

 "Originally created as a batik fabric collage with the international children surrounding a globe, I have altered my original design to create this bright, unique, and colorful fabric of multicultural "paper dolls". Children from Mexico, Germany, France, Japan, Spain, United States, various African nations (among other continents and countries) are featured! This design would be adorable for use in a children's room, classroom, or for a quilt! Image copyright Amy Kuhl Cox 2009"

 http://www.spoonflower.com/fabric/85976-international-paper-dolls-a-celebration-multiculturalism-by-amy_lou_who

Vivian Zapata's Diversity Artwork

 

A beautiful piece celebrating diversity by Vivian Zapata, 2005.

Fashion, Architecture and Photography Collide

Architect, visual artist and fashion illustrator Shamekh has created beautiful fashion illustrations where he cuts out part of the design and uses the backdrop of a photo to act as the pattern.

In Anxious Anticipation

Aaron Tilley (in collaboration with director Kyle Bean) has created the art series 'In Anxious Anticipation'.

His piece  "explore[s] the curious connection between how the mind perceives the world and conveys these reactions in their physical body." (source)

There is also an essay written by Jordan Kushins to go with the series. 

"The story (“In Anxious Anticipation”) revolves around this idea that visuals can invoke feelings of expectation and dread; from the ink droplet dangling precariously over a pressed white shirt, to a row of bricks about to collapse onto a dainty champagne goblet, the images aim to induce an empathetic rush of anticipation. Adrenaline flows from the adrenal glands, a result of stimulation of the autonomic nervous system. Through this magazine issue, the artistic designers wish to titillate the thrill-seekers amongst us and discover the ability of the artificial to induce this dreadful joy within our bodies."  (source)

Combo Photos

Stephen McMennamy has created absurd and whimsical images that combine two images.

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See Life's Changes in a Single Room

Here is an example of art that reflects the changes in mood and circumstance through life. This could be a great discussion prompt for emotional change, naming feelings, or how to respond to difficult situations.

"Dorothy O'Connor translates events from her life into a surreal ongoing series called Scenes. For years, the artist has transformed spaces—often a room—into fantastical places that tell a story. Visually rich and exciting, they feature elements of the natural world that are handcrafted by O’Connor. In one room, a den of snakes line a ceiling, while in another, over 200 paper birds circle the space. A giant tornado—which has over 500 feet of fabric around it—engulfs the contents of another. These awe-inspiring sights are interactive and initially displayed as installations (with live models) in galleries and other art spaces. The tornado, for instance, actually rotated during its opening.

Every concept in Scenes is predominantly shaped by O’Connor’s experiences. As a result, these spaces double as a conceptual autobiography and creating them is a cathartic experience. “Building these life-sized installations also allows me to literally live inside my own imagination,” she writes, “if only for a short time and satisfies the need to create a more aesthetically pleasing reality.” Each project takes her months to complete, and after the scenes have debuted, they remain only as a photograph."

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