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

Terms

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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