Entertainment For Lively Minds
Avatar - why hasn't Roger Dean sued?
Posted by Mondo on 1 February 2010 - 11:46am.
Saw Avatar at the weekend, and I'm no prog-fan - but have browsed past enough Yes, Budgie and Asia album covers to see it's clear the designs, geography and general look of the Avatar's alien planet have been borrowed from Roger Dean's portfolio: sky islands, butterfly coloured flying dragons, psychedelic shrubberies. Apparently Rog' hasn’t received any remuneration or credit - but surely this is more than influence or inspiration?
Roger Dean:top two pics - Avatar: bottom two
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That's uncanny
Mr Dean should be consulting Messrs Sue, Grabbit & Runne with all speed
more evidence for the prosecution
Almost a scene from the film (you'll know if you've seen it)
sorry folks
I'm still not able to post pics. can anyone help with the above?
Posting pictures
Done. It's very straightforward - there's a guide in the FAQ: http://www.wordmagazine.co.uk/faq/#images
I was watching a film the other day..
Some bit of Barbie fluff for little 'uns. And one sequence was a straight rip of a load of Rodney Matthews posters. I scoured the credits, but couldn't find his name.
You're not the only one
http://www.classicrockmagazine.com/news/does-avatar-steal-from-roger-dea...
although your image comparison is a lot closer
He should be used to it by now
People have been ripping off Dean's imagery for years. I guess you can't really copyright floating islands. I seem to recall reading in an interview that he reckoned he'd seen his stuff in all of the Star Wars movies (although I could never quite see it until Felucia in Revenge of the Sith), but there are tons of comics and video games with this kind of specific imagery in it. Avatar's just the latest (and biggest) one to do it.
I met him once - lovely bloke. Exactly as you'd expect someone who's been painting floating islands for the past forty years to be. I should have asked him to sign my copy of Olias of Sunhillow, but didn't have the nerve.
You should have asked him to...
make a floating, eco-friendly futurehome out of the vinyl itself using a cigarette lighter and finger power.
from Wiki
In early 2005, Dean announced plans to create a feature film titled Floating Islands. This film will be produced by Roger Dean and David Mousley. The story is based on the underlying theme depicted in the album artwork for Yes. It will feature animated 3D renderings of classic Dean images and music by Yes.
Some fans of Yes and Dean's work have noted that some of the backgrounds in James Cameron's Avatar, such as the floating mountains and the arch rock formations, may have been inspired by two album covers, An Evening of Yes Music Plus by Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe and Keys to Ascension by Yes.
Magritte
And just a hint of Castle in the Pyrenees by Rene Magritte.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/38736995@N07/3560512397/
It was certainly my first impression..
..I was half expecting a plaintive cry of "Sharp..distance!" to emerge from the trees.
Belgian solicitors are rubbing their hands ...
Is that..
Jon Anderson?..He's been a bit grumpy and blue in the face lately.