A set of graphics for the exhibition Marte, el espejo rojo (Mars, the red mirror) at the CCCB in Barcelona. The entire concept for the design is inspired on the work of astronomer Percival Lowell, who was convinced of the existence of a whole canal network in Mars, based on the observation of straight lines in the surface of the planet. From 1894, he mapped hundreds of them under the theory that they were built by intelligent Martians to carry water from the polar caps to other regions.
Over two decades, he published several books filled with illustrations and advancing his ideas, which influenced a whole generation to believe in the existence of an advanced civilization on the red planet. But time revealed that the lines Lowell saw were actually optical illusions formed by his own optical nerves reflected in the lens of the telescope, and encouraged by the human need to mirror our own civilization somewhere else.
The illustrations are by me. This is a project created for IED Barcelona’s masters in Graphic Design.
The type utilized is Liberteen by Alexander Lubovenko.
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