Posts Tagged science fiction
Friday Fun-post
Found the above forced-perspective shot here (along with another shuttle-related photo which I am uh, *not* going to post here, but it’s snicker-worthy. You’ll know it when you see it.) Thought I’d post some fun/interesting pictures today, because it is Friday, after all!
This next one is a long exposure of the Expedition 22 Soyuz rollout, and you know how much I LOVE long-exposure/night photography:
The Soyuz TMA-17 spacecraft is seen in this long exposure as it is rolled out by train to the launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, Friday, Dec. 18, 2009. The launch of the Soyuz spacecraft with Expedition 22 NASA Flight Engineer Timothy J. Creamer of the U.S., Soyuz Commander Oleg Kotov of Russia and Flight Engineer Soichi Noguchi of Japan, is scheduled for Monday, Dec., 21, 2009 at 3:52a.m. Kazakhstan time. Photo Credit (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
And finally, Etherbrian introduced me to these lovely ladies with their remarkable futuristic fashions! I’d love to know what this is from, if someone on the Intarwebs knows: Update: They hail from the 1970s British show UFO, a precursor to Space: 1999.
Heavenly Craft
Posted by Danielle in Art & Architecture on November 24, 2009
Concept Ships, Spaceship24 © Chris Foss
I owe Sci-Fi-O-Rama a lot for introducing me to the artwork of Chris Foss. It’s fantastic stuff, I couldn’t pick a favorite if I tried!
Turner Spaceship (1979) © Chris Foss
Silver Rockets
Posted by Danielle in Fashion & Accessories on April 10, 2009
The jeweler behind this silver rocket put it well, I think:
A great blast from the past. The classic rocket ship shape is one we all know and love from comics, cartoons and vintage Sci-Fi.
Indeed, I’m sure I’m not the only one with immense fondness for a shape that could not conceivably stand up on a launch pad… so this week it’s all about JEWELRY-SPAM! :D
Tea Girl
Posted by Danielle in Art & Architecture, Books & Literature, Entertainment on February 17, 2009
This lovely artwork goes with the WorldCon Nippon 2007 science fiction convention (WorldCons are where the prestigious Hugo is awarded.) It is a striking juxtaposition of traditional Japanese culture and futuristic spaceships.
Space artwork, part 9
Posted by Danielle in Art & Architecture on November 14, 2008
While browsing this article, I was struck by the sheer awesomeness of the above image by Glen Orbik. The colors, the composition… everything about it is just GREAT. Check out his website for more fantastic illustration!
Space artwork, part 7
Posted by Danielle in Art & Architecture on October 24, 2008
B. E. Johnson renders wonderfully detailed images of spacecraft (fictional and non-fictional). There’s a lot more to see on his website, check it out!
I’ve been interested in astronomy and space since I was a kid, marvelling at the art I saw in books and magazines about space, spaceflight and space exploration. I read everything I could get my hands on.
Perhaps one day I would go.
Now I do. Little did I know that I would become a space artist myself and inspire new generations to explore space. It turns out I am what I have termed a “method painter”, putting myself in the moment; in the place that I am painting in order to more richly convey the essence of what it’s like to be in space. Not only how it looks but how it feels.
Space artwork, part 6
Posted by Danielle in Art & Architecture on October 17, 2008
David B. Mattingly is a very talented artist, perhaps best known for his book covers for David Weber’s Honor Harrington series. (Also the Animorphs series for kids.) Pictured here are a couple of science fiction works not attached (to my knowledge) to either series. (The top one reminds me of Moonraker, actually.)
Moon Hater Death Ray
Posted by Danielle in Collectibles on October 7, 2008
One particularly nostalgic branch of science fiction is steampunk — shining brass, gears, knobs, goggles…. I’ve been subscribed to Weta’s Raygun newsletter for a while, since the collectibles first started popping up in gorgeous photographs, but this latest (miniature) edition made me laugh out loud. Let’s just say the title caught my eye?
The Goliathon 800 Moon Hater Death Ray
Since the dawn of time, Man has gazed wearily with fear and contempt into the cosmos. One luminescent beacon in particular has looked back, chiding and heckling us like a giant white space jerk, the Moon.
Now, thanks to the ingenious contrivers at Goliathon, we have at our disposal a means of heckling back and then some! This imperious metal behemoth will make a superb centre-piece to any laboratory or lounge and allow you to begin a well rounded bombardment of any Moon habitation you fancy, all from a comfy chair.
All of the rayguns here are exquisitely detailed, the miniatures no less so; you simply must do yourself a favor and check out the Moon Hater Death Ray and all the rest of Dr. Grordbort’s Infallible Aether Oscillators.
Science fiction anthologies, part 2
Posted by Danielle in Books & Literature on September 30, 2008
I was gently reminded last week that my book reviews and related posts are, as relevant as I might think them, changing the focus of this blog, so I aim to stop after this post. Having recommended some new things last week, I felt it would be leaving this subject incomplete if I didn’t mention some old things, newly compiled, republished or otherwise presented for your review.
Masterpieces: The Best Science Fiction of the Century is an anthology from 2001, edited by Orson Scott Card. I admit, this fact alone was enough for me to pick it up! There’s some terrific classics in here — Dark They Were, and Golden-Eyed by Ray Bradbury is one of my favorites. “All You Zombies—” by Robert Heinlein is a mind-twisting time-travel tale that makes what Douglas Adams did to Zaphod Beeblebrox’s family tree look positively amateur.
Another great set of compilations is The Science Fiction Hall of Fame, sharing stories from 1929-1964. Volume One (which I own and love) is pictured here. Volumes Two A and Two B are available in hardback, and were originally published in 1973 “to honor novellas that had come before the institution of the Nebula Awards.”
Volume One’s short stories hail from the same span of years (1929-1964): “Selected by a vote of the membership of the Science Fiction Writers of America (SFWA), these 26 reprints represent the best, most important, and most influential stories and authors in the field.” Indeed, this volume is full of great stuff — Scanners Live in Vain! by Cordwainer Smith and The Weapon Shop by A. E. van Vogt are fantastic, and Fondly Fahrenheit by Alfred Bester will tie your grey matter into several complex knots. In a good way, I mean.
Classic science fiction is just as enjoyable today as it was when first published, especially the stuff presented in the above anthologies. Do yourself a favor and check them out!
Space artwork, part 3
Posted by Danielle in Art & Architecture, Books & Literature on September 26, 2008
John Harris is an artist with a very recognizable style; the images here are book covers for Ender’s Game and Speaker For The Dead, both by Orson Scott Card. His website states:
John has now spent thirty years illustrating work by some of the best science fiction writers… Isaac Asimov, James Blish, Frederik Pohl, Orson Scott Card, Samuel R Delany, Ben Bova, Allen Steele, and many more.
Odds are, if you’re an avid science-fiction reader, you’ve seen some of John’s work. Check out his website for more information, and this excellent post for many more images!
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