Biomechanical art
Encyclopedia
Biomechanical art is a surrealistic style of art that combines elements of machines with organics. Rendered with distinct realism
, biomechanical art expresses an internal fantasy
world, most typically represented with human or animal anatomy where bones and joints are replaced with metal pistons and gears, but infused with muscles and tendons.
Biomechanical art was popularized in 1979 when Swiss artist H.R. Giger designed the alien creatures in Ridley Scott
's Oscar winning movie Alien
.
's 1979 movie Alien
, tattoo artists began tattooing images taken directly from the movie, and from artist H.R. Giger's Necronomicon
series. As the biomechanical tattoo art style became increasingly popular, tattoo artists such as Guy Aitchison
and Aaron Cain began designing their own original, biomechanical art, creating one of tattoo's most popular contemporary tattoo art movements.
Realism (arts)
Realism in the visual arts and literature refers to the general attempt to depict subjects "in accordance with secular, empirical rules", as they are considered to exist in third person objective reality, without embellishment or interpretation...
, biomechanical art expresses an internal fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
world, most typically represented with human or animal anatomy where bones and joints are replaced with metal pistons and gears, but infused with muscles and tendons.
Biomechanical art was popularized in 1979 when Swiss artist H.R. Giger designed the alien creatures in Ridley Scott
Ridley Scott
Sir Ridley Scott is an English film director and producer. His most famous films include The Duellists , Alien , Blade Runner , Legend , Thelma & Louise , G. I...
's Oscar winning movie Alien
Alien (film)
Alien is a 1979 science fiction horror film directed by Ridley Scott and starring Tom Skerritt, Sigourney Weaver, Veronica Cartwright, Harry Dean Stanton, John Hurt, Ian Holm and Yaphet Kotto. The film's title refers to its primary antagonist: a highly aggressive extraterrestrial creature which...
.
Biomechanical Tattoo Art
After the popularity of Ridley ScottRidley Scott
Sir Ridley Scott is an English film director and producer. His most famous films include The Duellists , Alien , Blade Runner , Legend , Thelma & Louise , G. I...
's 1979 movie Alien
Alien (film)
Alien is a 1979 science fiction horror film directed by Ridley Scott and starring Tom Skerritt, Sigourney Weaver, Veronica Cartwright, Harry Dean Stanton, John Hurt, Ian Holm and Yaphet Kotto. The film's title refers to its primary antagonist: a highly aggressive extraterrestrial creature which...
, tattoo artists began tattooing images taken directly from the movie, and from artist H.R. Giger's Necronomicon
Necronomicon (H. R. Giger)
Necronomicon was the first major published compendium of images by Swiss artist H. R. Giger. Originally published in 1977, the book was given to director Ridley Scott during the pre-production of the film Alien, who then hired Giger to produce artwork and conceptual designs for the film.The book...
series. As the biomechanical tattoo art style became increasingly popular, tattoo artists such as Guy Aitchison
Guy Aitchison
Guy Aitchison is a renowned tattoo artist and a painter born in Michigan. Aitchison began painting album covers in 1985 and began tattooing in 1988. He has also released several books. He owns a studio called Hyper Space Studios with his wife, Michele Wortman, who is also a tattoo artist and...
and Aaron Cain began designing their own original, biomechanical art, creating one of tattoo's most popular contemporary tattoo art movements.