So, let's talk movies. Specifically, those post-apocalyptic gems that have wormed their way into my psyche and spurred on my FLOOD Series. These films aren't just casual Friday night entertainment; they're full-on mind trips that unravel the human condition in the most visually spectacular ways. Here’s how they’ve inspired me, one frame at a time.
Waterworld (1995)
Get ready for high seas and daring feats. "Waterworld" presents a world submerged, where dry land is a myth. Kevin Costner’s mariner character, a mutated fish-man, for crying out loud, epitomizes adaptation. It’s this drastic shift in human evolution that I find fascinating. The way humanity clings to remnants of the old world, like children clinging to their favorite toys—except these toys are ancient maps and rusted machinery. In my FLOOD Series, it’s all about using what’s left behind, finding beauty and utility in the discarded. An inflatable pool flamingo becomes a symbol of both survival and the ridiculousness of our past consumerism.
Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
Witness me! This film is an assault on the senses in the best possible way. The desolate wastelands, the makeshift vehicles, the frenetic energy—all fuel my creative fire. Furiosa (Charlize Theron) and Max (Tom Hardy) are survivalists to the core, using whatever they can scavenge. There's a raw, gritty aesthetic here—everything feels patched together, recycled, repurposed. It’s this chaotic resourcefulness I channel into my work. My astronaut might not be chasing down warlords in the desert, but the essence of survival through chaos? Absolutely. Plus, the bold colors and strong textures of "Fury Road" are right up my alley.
Cast Away (2000)
Wilson!!! Tom Hanks' solitary ordeal in "Cast Away" is less about post-apocalypse and more about personal apocalypse. But hey, sometimes your world ends in micro, not macro. The idea of being stranded, of talking to a volleyball to keep your sanity, it’s tragically comedic. My astronaut’s solitude and the humorous takes on his survival tactics—like using an inflatable flamingo—mirror this blend of tragedy and absurdity. It's about finding companionship in the most unexpected places and items, turning the mundane into the extraordinary.
The Martian (2015)
I am gonna have to science the shit out of this. "The Martian" is another personal apocalypse happening in form of a wild ride of an astronaut stranded on Mars, fighting to stay alive with nothing but his wits and a hell of a lot of duct tape. It's the sheer determination of Mark Watney (Matt Damon) that gets to me. Imagine being utterly alone, surrounded by a barren, alien landscape, and deciding to grow potatoes out of your own poop. Yes, poop. Watney's resourcefulness is the epitome of human ingenuity. It's that MacGyver-esque survival skill that echoes in my astronaut, navigating a flooded Earth. I wanted my character to embody that same gritty resilience—making do with the absurd and thriving against all odds.
Interstellar (2014)
Do not go gentle into that good night. Ah, "Interstellar"—a journey through space and time that leaves your brain delightfully scrambled. The visuals are otherworldly, and the emotional undercurrents hit hard. Cooper (Matthew McConaughey) travels through wormholes and black holes, driven by love and the hope of saving humanity. It’s this relentless pursuit of a better future amidst the ruins of the present that resonates deeply with my FLOOD Series. My astronaut’s journey isn’t just about surviving; it’s about discovering, about finding remnants of humanity worth salvaging, and, dare I say, worth loving.
The Road (2009)
Bleak. Bleaker. Bleakest. "The Road" is a masterclass in post-apocalyptic despair. Yet, it’s the bond between the father and his son, their struggle to maintain some semblance of hope, that cuts through the grey, ashen landscape. This film strips survival down to its bare bones. It’s raw, it’s harsh, but it’s also profoundly human. In my art, I strive to capture that balance—showing the stark reality of a flooded world while infusing it with a touch of humor and irony. It’s about acknowledging the darkness but also the absurd lightness of being human.
I Am Legend (2007)
Survival in solitude. Will Smith’s portrayal of a lone survivor in a post-apocalyptic New York City ties into themes of solitude, adaptation, and the psychological toll of isolation. The desolate urban landscape overrun by nature could provide visual inspiration. The way his character uses everyday items to create a sense of normalcy and keep his sanity is a thread I’ve pulled into my work. It’s about turning the familiar into something functional and even comforting amidst chaos.
The Book of Eli (2010)
Faith and knowledge as survival tools. Following a lone traveler in a post-apocalyptic world, this film emphasizes the importance of knowledge, faith, and determination. The journey through a barren landscape and the use of found objects for survival can parallel my astronaut’s experiences. It’s the idea of carrying the remnants of civilization, both physically and spiritually, that resonates deeply.
Conclusion: Inspirations for Post-Apocalypse Art
These films are more than just inspirations; they’re companions in my creative journey. Each one, with its unique perspective on survival, adaptation, and the human spirit, feeds into the tapestry of my FLOOD Series. The post-apocalyptic genre, despite its often grim settings, is a rich playground for exploring the depths of human resilience and creativity.
The post-apocalyptic genre is fascinating because it strips humanity down to its core elements. It’s about starting over, about making do with what’s left, and finding beauty in the remnants of human civilization. They drive me to explore the absurdity and resilience of our existence, to see how we adapt and survive against all odds. These films, provides a powerful lens through which to view the human condition. It forces us to confront our deepest fears and our highest hopes, often in the same breath. This duality—despair and hope, destruction and renewal—is what makes the genre so compelling and so rich with potential for artistic exploration.
By drawing on the visual and thematic elements of these films, I aim to create a unique post-apocalyptic narrative in my art. It’s not just about surviving; it’s about thriving in the face of adversity, about finding joy and beauty in the most unexpected places, and to wonder about the strangeness of human beings. The bold colors and strong textures I use are a nod to the striking visuals of these films, while the humor and irony reflect on the status of our existence.
So, if you find yourself drawn to the quirky yet profound, to the vibrant yet desolate, you might just fall in love with my work. After all, art and cinema—like life—are about finding beauty in the unexpected and laughing in the face of adversity.
Feel free to dive into these cinematic wonders and see how they echo through the watery, colorful depths of my paintings. And remember, the next time you see an inflatable pool flamingo, think of it as a beacon of survival.
