A new piece by one of my favourite contemporary artists, Andrew Crock. All These Things (shown here) combines his signature Counstable-esque oils, British rural settings and a cast of what I’d like to call dapper circus performers. I say ‘like to call’ simply because there’s always something more ethereal and uncanny about his supporting cast. You can see more examples of his work here:
http://www.beauxartsbath.co.uk/Crocker%2008/Pages/Index.htm

First published in 1982, The Blade Runner Sketchbook has become of a cult phenomena in its own right with pristine copies trading for impressive sums. Thankfully, for all us cash-strapped seekers of the fantastical, one superlative fan has posted the entire book: http://issuu.com/futurenoir/docs/bladerunner_sketchbook. The image above is one of Ridley Scott’s own production sketches showing an obvious influence from Jean Giraud – AKA Moebius.

A most excellent Christmas present, made all the more enjoyable thanks to a clearer recognition of the fantastical references peppered throughout. Seeing the likes of Jack Carter rubbing panels with Andy Capp and Marty Fieldman added nostalgia to an already heavily nuanced text. However, the transformation of Oliver Haddo into a seemingly earthly version of Pat Mills’ Thomas de Torquemada, remains a mild disappointment in an otherwise sterling addition to the series. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_League_of_Extraordinary_Gentlemen.

As well as the number 42 taking on a fresh and special significance as of today, it’s also relevant in relation to a new edition of Douglas Adams’ The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy being released by The Folio Society. This lovely impression of the whale and the bowl of petunias evidence of how Adam’s descriptive power still resonates – http://www.foliosociety.com/book/HGG.

Satisfying to see Curiosity heading into the wide black yonder yesterday http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/msl/index.html. With luck all will go well with the mission – despite reservations about what seems to be an overly complex entry system. Regardless, we’ll know whether it’s a success by August 2012. Can’t help but picture some kind of Martian museum in the far future with an exhibition hall full of hardware previously fired there from Earth. Perhaps this will be the part of the ambient soundtrack played to the otherworldly visitors http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0gC6fSvex4.

A good friend of mine stumbled upon a Russian site that hosts a collection of covers from the Soviet “Technology Youth” magazine. Spanning the 1960s, the future it portrayed was sometimes prophetic, sometimes unintentionally comic but always beautifully realised. Interested seekers of the fantastical can see the full collection here http://da-zdra-per-m.livejournal.com/76322.html. This is a personal favourite…

While talking with William Leith recently, I recalled this scene from Godfrey Reggio’s wonderful film. I still look at this guy and find myself suspended somewhere between compelling fascination and abject horror. It’s a look that says, “I own the sky.”

An absolute age ago, Tom Gauld gave me permission to use the image below on this site. Finally, I’ve now got the opportunity to keep my end of the bargain and direct any visitors to http://www.tomgauld.com//. Tom’s work can always be found in the review section of The Weekend Guardian.

Seems that the automaton creations of Jaquet-Droz are up for some cinematic attention via Martin Scorsese’s latest project, Hugo. Empire, in their October edition, included this rather interesting image (see below). As for the film itself, you can see the opening trailer here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocSlru1Amtc.

As the anniversary of his death approaches, it’s inevitable that we should be missing Ken Campbell once more. We talked a few times about the soundtrack to his Call of the Wild show, and while I still haven’t finished reading Infinte Jest – despite his recomendation – I know I will someday. Ultimately, his show on ventriloquism was the wellspring for Jo’s company www.pottytreepuppets.co.uk. Sadly missed by us all here – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Campbell.