Icarus II, "A Cruel God"

Artist: Ellcott
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Print: from US$17.10

Icarus II, "A Cruel God"

This is contemporary take on the myth of Icarus whose father made him a pair of wax & feather wings so he could fly and escape his imprisonment… but not heeding his fathers advice to not fly near the sun during a trial, Icarus did and his wings melted off and he plunged to his death.

It took much research and trials to come up with a ‘convincing’ design for today’s athlete who is out to escape the physical limits of mortal man by using inhumane methods of body alteration to get the advantage over competitors… all in the name of world recognition, fame and a sense of power… although often disguised by truisms like “I liked the challenge” or “we’re pushing the boundaries in the name of science and humanity”.
Here Icarus has had surgical implants to enable his wings to be driven by his body’s diverted blood pressure system connected to pistons which drive the wings. This leaves his hands free for balance, carrying gear etc.

Perhaps the very thing we strive for is the very thing that holds us back in our true human quest for meaning and significance.

This is the first part of a diptych. The second is the “white board” display of the aftermath of this failed attempt to get off the ground… with a full analysis of what worked, what didn’t and the appeal by the Project Manager to gain more funding from the Corporate sponsor.

I’ll try to put it up if anyone’s interested, but it is detailed and pretty hard to see on screen.

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Damian

Really cool image and design Ellcott. I like the way you’ve taken mythology and turned it to scifi.
I know what you mean about professional athletes and what they do to their bodies for fame. Still, there will be benefits come from technology, and there’s some I’m hoping happen in my lifetime ;)
Ellcott

Sorry to be so slow acknowledging your reply Damian… it appears I’ve had a ‘sending error’ which hopefully has been sorted.

Yes I got quite carried away with this whole project, involving a scientist and nurse to help with the “white board” aftermath so it became strangely believable that Icarus had a chance of achieving flight… for a while.

Anyway I picked up a nice $2000 prize for it at a local Easter comp.
bodymechanic

a powerful work which is sucessful at many levels. excellent master of the brush!!
Damian

Wow Ellcott, congrats on the win!
Ellcott

thankyou bodymech.

I wish it came more easily as it does to many of my painter colleagues.
Ellcott

Ta Damian… pity the money went on bill paying rather than on something more inspiring!
Cliff Vestergaard

WOW magic art work well done !
FireRabbit

A great idea! Congragulations on the win. I really like the emotion you have put in the character and the way you have done the wings!
Tom Godfrey

Brilliant! My favourite kind of Art, I bow before you Mastah :)
Elaine van Dyk

Great concept and message, Ellcott, and brilliantly executed in this work.
Shanina Conway

Amazing work Ellcott, the detail and symbolism create a stunning image:)
Ellcott

Thanks Cliff, your own symbolism is also well thought out IMO. Keep it up.

And thanks FireRabbit… the wings were basically designed from scratch and I made models to work out the hinging points to enable the right motions…. silly but fun. Your cartooning is very accomplished! Have you storylines linking any groups of them yet?

Tom I can see why mine appeals to you with your edgy humour and the weirdly possible! You make me laugh… well done.

Thankyou Whirligig for your response.

Thanks Shanina but I think your stuff is stunning and shows what a craft and art digital has become. Emotions are often carried better through surrealism than realism I think. Your style seems to do this so well.
Ian Yang (mitrm)

a masterpiece that deserves the prize. I guess it isn’t easy to create a symbolic work, but when you see one, your heart starts beating faster and you try to read it through different aspects searching for a right answer. The distant light gives no warmth nor hopes, the wings heavy and mechanical, his mind strong but his body constrained, no mercy, no salvation, no nothing.

ian
Ellcott

Thankyou for your perceptive reading mitrm.
Dragoncat

very good picture!!
DaughterEarth

wow great creativity, love this a lot!
melbourneguy75

I love the sci-fi take on this myth, beautiful piece of work. The muscle definition is fantastic.
Ellcott

Thanks David,
The light angle makes all the difference in achieving muscle definition which was really needed as I had to pose for this myself and I’m not very muscular!