io9: public art

Dark Crystal Mural Creates Urban Fantasy in Seattle

Annalee Newitz — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:02:34 PDT

Buried in an alleyway in Seattle's Queen Anne neighborhood is this amazing mural of characters from classic Jim Henson flick Dark Crystal. io9's own Garrison Dean took these pictures that truly capture "essence of Gelfling."

Mr. Dean reports: "While taking these a guy came out of the bar back and told us to watch out for skeksies." This is why Seattle remains high on my list of awesome geek cities.

And a closer look:

Your Morning Commute Is Terminated!

Charlie Jane Anders — Tue, 05 May 2009 08:30:00 PDT

A T-600 (from Terminator Salvation) took over Toronto's Yonge and Bloor subway station, flashing its eyes and moving around, to the terror of morning commuters. A few more super-detailed pics below.

According to this article, the lifesize killer robot caused a fair bit of commotion on the subway platform. And it appeared a day late, because there were huge problems getting a massive metal monster through security at an American airport.

Major thanks to Intrepidacious on Flickr, for posting such amazing pics. I love the moody silhouette of the Terminator against the institutional walls of the subway station. You can see more, and bigger, pics over at her Flickr page.

Science Fiction-Inspired Statues from Around the World

Lauren Davis — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 12:30:00 PDT

Public art frequently features allegedly famous people you've never heard of, playing children, or abstract concepts rendered somehow in solid form. But some modern artists take their cue from classical sculpture, portraying the demigods of our age: the superheroes, killer robots, cryptozoological creatures, and movie monsters. For your entertainment, we've collected some of the science fiction-inspired sculptures that sit all over the world, from Alberta to Azerbaijan.