Description

Overview:

Looking at the possible annihilation and extinction of animals, birds, insects, fish, and other animal life species on earth in a scientific, novel, and unique way. Futuristic. The intricate scientific details of ‘mechanica’ – animals on land, in the sky, and in the sea – which includes birds, butterflies, bees, fishes, snakes, and more, are explored. Specifically, the artificial eagle and the functional aspects of the eagle’s ‘mechanical, biological, and physiological systems’ are touched on.  Aesthetics is also considered. The digital artwork of Lance Balchin – author and illustrator – are examined. His published book, Mechanica, includes a unique futuristic perspective of the animals as we know them. His illustrations of the Aquila Artificialis are explored.

The bird of prey – Aquila Artificialis (artificial eagle) – is the focus of this article and leads into deeper questions of maintenance, equilibrium, programming, and ultimately the balance of the species in the wider environment (e.g. the forest). However, this article endeavours to look beyond the imagination of the great author, illustrator, and artist. Balchin’s brilliance is embraced. However, the author of this comparative article endeavours to grasp the aesthetics, the function, the pure science, the intricate design of the eagle, and consequently the design of all life on earth — contrasting, comparing and questioning along the way. The results are thought-provoking, colourful, and spectacular!

White-tailed eagle hunting fish. Credit pixabay.com. 

“It is the year 2200.  Strange and sinister sounds fill the forests. Sounds never heard before. The flutter, stutter, and clutter of unknown flying objects fill the forest’s air. There is an eerie presence in the forest canopy. Red, green and yellow LED eyes are staring and moving. Not a single blink is visible.  A small carburettor jerks and splutter; couching up high octane fuel. Some large veined leaves are moving. The sinister whiz-whiz of a small bird-like plane scares black ants up a tree as it passes; the zoom-zoom of a small screaming turbine engine is deafening. The chameleon places its front feet in its ears to shut the noise out. Its whole body vibrates violently on the thin branch. The back legs are holding on. The chameleon is hanging on for life. The heart-stopping cacophony of mechanica shocks the forest out of its deep sleep. The intruders have no emotion. They are cold and calculating. They don’t rest; they don’t blink.”

Photo from the book, Mechanica, by Lance Balchin. Here the photoshopped artificial eagle is displayed. Note the Marnell Turbo Jet engine that propels the bird of prey. The other engineering and scientific details are left to the reader’s and the viewer’s imagination and interpretation. Optical and radar sensors are included. Where could the small pocket computer be that orchestrates the whole system? Can you guess? Photo by W. Van Zyl.

Machines reign supreme. Or do they? What reigns? And, you might ask, what is behind all of this?