Fantastical Buildings
Midjourney Prompts
Today we are going to create some fabulous abstract architecture.
Inspiration
The other day I was very kindly tagged on a Facebook post by Pam Blackstone. She had used one of my prompt as inspiration for a series of images depicting teh Hanging Gardens of Baybylon. Pam is an admin of the AI Art Explorers group - if you aren’t a member I can definitely recommend the group.
Anyway, Pam’s images got me thinking about architecture, and became the inspiration behind today’s post.
Fantastical Buildings in Art
Fantastical buildings in art are architectural structures that defy reality and push the boundaries of imagination. They often appear in works of fantasy, science fiction, surrealism, and other genres where artists explore fantastical realms and alternative realities. These imaginative constructions can take various forms and serve as central elements within the artwork, setting the stage for fantastical narratives or expressing symbolic meanings. Here are a few notable examples:
The Tower of Babel: Inspired by the biblical story, numerous artists have depicted the Tower of Babel as a colossal structure reaching toward the heavens. These representations often feature intricate architectural details and exaggerated proportions, symbolizing human ambition and the desire to surpass natural limits.
Dream-like Architecture by Salvador Dalí: Salvador Dalí, a renowned surrealist artist, frequently incorporated surreal and dream-like buildings in his artworks. His paintings, such as "The Persistence of Memory" and "The Elephants," feature melting clocks draped over unusual architectural forms, creating a sense of distorted reality and subconscious symbolism.
The Floating City: In the realm of science fiction and fantasy, artists often depict floating cities or islands that defy gravity. These structures often feature levitation or anti-gravitational technologies, allowing them to hover in the sky or float above water. Such imaginative creations can be found in various mediums, including illustrations, digital art, and concept designs for films and video games.
Escher's Impossible Architecture: M.C. Escher, a celebrated Dutch artist, created mind-bending drawings that challenge the laws of physics and spatial logic. His artworks, like "Relativity" and "Ascending and Descending," depict buildings with staircases and corridors that loop back onto themselves, creating impossible geometric configurations that play with viewers' perceptions.
Gothic Architecture in Fantasy Settings: Gothic architecture, with its ornate spires, arches, and gargoyles, often finds its way into fantasy settings. Artists and illustrators use elements of Gothic architecture to create atmospheric and otherworldly environments, such as towering castles, haunted mansions, and mysterious cathedrals, contributing to the overall sense of awe and wonder in their artworks.
Fantastical buildings in art offer a glimpse into the boundless creativity of artists, allowing them to construct imaginative worlds, challenge conventional architectural norms, and evoke emotions and narratives that go beyond the limitations of reality.
Fortunately, all we have the creativity of Midjourney to lean on.