2001: A Space Odyssey by Kevin Tong

This is a truly great composition and concept….the most memorable and most important VISUAL element of 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY (and lets get/stay HONEST here, folks) are NOT either of the astronauts, or HAL, or even ANY of the amazingly designed spacecraft….it is the alien MONOLITH, which is, of course, the most important thematic element of the film, which is, of course, the identifier of the mysterious alien presence and it’s determined interaction with humans who dont yet understand that (as with many initial viewers), and the artist gets that right by showing it as the central focal point of the image….

But lets also get/stay honest with the unavoidable fact that this film would NOT be anywhere near as great or significant in cinematic history without those FOREVER memorable, uniquely designed spacecraft- the mothership Discovery, the sleek PAN AM spaceplane, the huge, spherical Aries 1B transport craft, the impressive Moon Bus craft, the Pod craft (again, spherical, and rightfully shown in the image, AND with very accurate detail) and the MOST remarkable of all- that spectacular, colossal, rotating, double-ringed Space Station. And it is absolutely important to mention these spacecraft here because it is actually THESE visual elements of the film that most viewers will continue to remember most (if they’re human). And why?….because (for those unaware of it) the main designers of these craft, Harry Lange and Frederick Ordway, intentionally created these with the greatest attention to possible (NASA) space technology, and a scientific feasibility of their intended purpose and utility….

So, if i were the artist, i would have also carefully included (smaller in size, to fit, and these all can) ALL of these other amazing spacecraft in the image as well. But of course, to this suggestion many may think something like “No!, the pod is the ONLY spacecraft necessary to show man’s technology in the image!”, etc, etc, etc. Another element in this image is one that i would have in a slightly different position- the astronaut. In the image, his body is understandably shown in an extreme, head-forward perspective. But that extreme angle unintentionally makes his body look awkwardly and oddly malformed and stumpy, giving an immediately almost ridiculous appearance. And yes, to that suggestion many will think something like- “Oh stop being so picky!, the astronaut looks fine!.”….

And lastly, the size and clarity of the (very important) FILM TITLE….it’s WAY too small and too thin-lettered, and almost INVISIBLE against the planet detail….Im just being honest about all this, folks. But overall and aside from these points, everything else in this image is SPOT ON and perfectly composed, with it’s Monolith vanishing point, mirrored L and R sides, and Monolith-shaped dimensions. Absolutely brilliant!