The Art of Invisibility [PICS]
Thu, Dec 4, 2008
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When people are asked what superpower they would opt for given the choice, it’s alarming how many go for invisibility. Then, you could go wherever you want and do whatever you want, within reason, of course. You want first class to Sydney? No worries, just rock on up to the best empty seats on the jumbo, and enjoy. Although, you’d have to use your powers for good, too, so karma wouldn’t bite you in the butt. That said it’s probably not the first thing camouflage artists think of when they decide to paint people to blend in with their surroundings.
Desiree Palmen is one such artist. Over a number of years, Dutch born Desiree has photographed various projects throughout Europe. Here are just a few of her images, modeled by friends:
Part of the street surveillance camera project, Streetwise
These images were part of Desiree’s Camouflage project
Desiree Palmen
Another artist specializing in camouflage is Liu Bolin, from China. His stance is slightly different than Desiree’s, but the result is similar.
Liu says:
Chameleon has the unique property of changing hues to match the color of the surroundings for self-protection. Rattlesnake can bury most of the body in sand soil. This can not only protect itself but also have a better access to food. There are also many animals, such as gecko, beetle etc., which have learnt to deal with the environment and the enemy in the longtime fight of life and death. In order to survive, good concealment has become the most critical factor.
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4 Trackbacks For This Post
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Emulando la invisibilidad con Desiree Palmen | Isopixel Says:
December 6th, 2008 at 3:57 am[...] Enviromental Graffiti tienen una corta pero concisa galería con algunas obras selectas de este artista, o si prefieren [...]
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Fondos de Pantalla » Blog Archive » Emulando la invisibilidad con Desiree Palmen Says:
December 6th, 2008 at 5:22 am[...] Enviromental Graffiti tienen una corta pero concisa galería con algunas obras selectas de este artista, o si prefieren [...]
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Desiree Palmen: durchsichtige Menschen | diskursdisko Says:
January 22nd, 2009 at 1:03 am[...] mehr so 100% aktuell, aber eben erst bei environmental graffiti entdeckt: die Bilder der holländischen Künstlerin Desiree [...]
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Eu durmo com um olho so « williampaiva Says:
January 27th, 2009 at 3:39 am[...] http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/featured/incredible-camouflage-art/4793 [...]
December 5th, 2008 at 2:58 am
I love those pictures! I’m a big fan of art, mostly photos and paintings. I’ve never seen this concept before, though. I may have to snag a few prints. Thanks for sharing!
December 5th, 2008 at 5:29 am
All were pretty interesting, but the only really good one was the bookshelf.
December 5th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
truely amazing pics :)
December 5th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
some of those are great!
The one with the bookshelf, i cant even make out the head.
http://testingthetesters.blogspot.com/
December 5th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
Those are just awsome! the bookstand one is spectacular. Brilliant work!!!
December 5th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
very cool indeed! The picture with the bookshelf is my favourite
December 5th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Wow, that is pretty amazing isnt it! Cool stuff!
jess
http://www.privacy.de.tc
December 5th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
marvelous!!!
December 5th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
i can’t see, anything?
December 5th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
Good stuff, but the bookshelf is definately photoshopped to remove the upper body.
December 5th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
Some really good photos there.
December 5th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
Wow. Really awesome. It must have taken hours of hard work to paint the individuals in this manner.
http://linuxandfriends.com
December 5th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
brilliant and so nice to look at.
December 5th, 2008 at 6:47 pm
Amazing!
December 5th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
THe bookshelf has to be photoshopped. If it is not, please tell me how that is possible
December 5th, 2008 at 10:20 pm
wow.
those were stupid.
December 5th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
GHOSTS!
December 6th, 2008 at 1:38 am
hahaha that fantastic !! ;-)))
greetings
http://hekko.eu
December 6th, 2008 at 9:56 am
even good :)
December 7th, 2008 at 12:58 am
Really cool stuff!
Thanks!
http://www.pelapapas.com.mx
December 7th, 2008 at 1:09 am
Brilliant work!
Reminds me of the street chalk artists in New York who scribbled uncovered manholes and various other sidewalk pitfalls, only to laugh as unsuspecting pedestrians made great efforts to avoid a fall. Some guys are tall on talent and dangerous with spare time…
A.E.
http://www.aesabo.com
December 7th, 2008 at 7:58 am
I agree, the bookshelf one is by far the best!
December 8th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Thanks for this post. The deeper meaning of both artist’s work is inspiring and I’ll make sure to share it with my readers on PlanetPinknGreen (dotcom) – a blog and online lifestyle magazines focused on the Cultural Creative Movement from the female perspective. –Cheers! Cheryl Janis, Editor-in-Chief, http://www.planetpinkngreen.com
December 10th, 2008 at 2:37 am
Very creative and thought provoking. Can we really be invisible?
December 10th, 2008 at 3:39 am
what about universal invisibility
December 10th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
For those of you saying the bookshelf is photoshoped I can see the outline up to the person’s shoulders and then curve round. This means that the person has ducked there head down (so you can’t see it) So don’t call art photoshoped unless you’re actually going to look at it…
December 10th, 2008 at 10:41 pm
IS there anything “Photoshop” Can not do these days Wow!!!!!!
December 11th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
That is just absolutely amazing!!!!! I love painting and drawing and I don’t make many sculptures, but like after this I’ll totally like try it out!
December 12th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
If you look at the 2nd shelf down from the top of the bookcase in the center, there is a red book. Just to the left of that you can see the back of someones head and the collar. The books on this ghillie suit are not painted on like the rest of the outfits but actual bindings (or mocks of)books to give that extra 3D look.
Very clever and of course if he ever had to knock someone off in a library – he’s all set!
December 13th, 2008 at 11:15 am
beautiful art work, some are really amazing.
though i think i might have want some other superpowers.
great ideas
December 17th, 2008 at 3:12 am
Great ideas! Especially that one with the bookshelf!
December 22nd, 2008 at 11:09 pm
interesting,I think I`m the one crossing the street.
December 29th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
Nice Creativity
January 21st, 2009 at 3:46 pm
Oh, that street photo is wonderful. That’s right, genius, stand in the middle of a street while being invisible to every damn driver heading your way. After all, every self-respecting artist should die young.
January 21st, 2009 at 9:40 pm
This is really impressive. I love it
March 9th, 2009 at 8:16 pm
fascinating ^^
May 3rd, 2009 at 12:15 pm
Wow fantastic work.The bookshelf one in particular is brilliant.Must be hours of work.
May 17th, 2009 at 5:14 am
A SPECIAL PAINT.
May 23rd, 2009 at 11:28 am
Oooh, cool! :)
August 14th, 2009 at 8:33 am
This is b……t man! u can see by far that those are fake that person is dressed in well camouflaged clothes, is not invisible………
August 27th, 2009 at 11:49 am
Oh, that street photo is wonderful. That’s right, genius, stand in the middle of a street while being invisible to every damn driver heading your way. After all, every self-respecting artist should die young.