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Alien Planets

Artist R. M. Palaniappan (Indian, born 1957)
Datelate 20th century
MediumMixed media on paper
DimensionsFramed: 17 1/4 × 48 1/2 × 1 3/8 inches (43.82 × 123.19 × 3.51 cm)
Credit LineGift of Elisabeth Batchelor
Object number2025.94.4
On View
Not on view
DescriptionEach of the for prints is a horizontal composition depicting a row of four round planets sillouetted against the blank paper. The planets are rendered in hues ranging from copper and brown, to grey and blue, to tuquoise and green. Blotches and swirls rendered in contrasting colors suggesting varied topographies. Lines drawn overtop suggest the presence of an unknown viewer. Are the marks the result of attempt at mapmaking, or marking something else? The margins between the planets are filled with notation. The works present themselves as scientific observations, as authentic documents of newly-observed worlds.
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Alien Planets
R. M. Palaniappan
1985-1989
2025.94.1
Alien Planets
R. M. Palaniappan
late 20th century
2025.94.2
Alien Planets
R. M. Palaniappan
late 20th century
2025.94.3
Bull's Neck Bridge, New York
Dave Heath
1963
2017.68.60.5
PR side overall
Yinka Shonibare
2010
2011.23.A-E
Frontispiece
Norman J. Wagner
1987
F92-25/4
Shasta
Tom Holland
1971
F96-4/1
Image from vendor - not for public use
Hung Hsien
1970
2024.41