10 December 2023

Darth Vader's Christmas Wish List

6 February 2022

Luke I’m Your Father


If you happen to be two things today then this will amuse you.  First, you would probably have to be something of a Star Wars fan and secondly you should really be in a slightly silly mood as well.  This song was created by writer, filmmaker and video editor Rohan Francis for his students in an after school program he used to work for.  Well, that’s his excuse, at least but I think you will agree that this doesn’t really need one!

4 April 2013

Darth Vader as The Little Prince

While flicking through Flickr today I came across this take on Darth Vader by Nukamari.  In it, Darth is imagined as the Little Prince, from the novella by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.  The novel which most read and most translated book in the French language tells the story of the boy who fell to Earth, effectively – and if you haven’t read it then please, add to the overall richness of your life by doing so soon! 

One of the characters in the novella is a fox which the Prince had encountered on his travels and he comes out with a line that I think, given our Darth Vader photographic retelling of the story is somewhat appropriate.  If only someone had told young Anakin Skywalker this. “You become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed.”

21 January 2012

Star Wars Uncut: Director's Cut


There are times when even the words labor of love do not give justice to something. So it is with Star Wars Uncut: Director’s Cut.  Put simply it is Star Wars Episode IV in hundreds of fifteen second segments, each created by a fan or group of fans. They could re-film their claimed segment in any way that they wished – and so was unleashed a veritable death star of creativity. The various clips were available to watch on the Star Wars Uncut website.

Now, the director, Casey Pugh, has hand-picked his favorites and put them together in the first feature length movie of its kind – a complete reproduction of an original film for fans and by fans.  I simply cannot imagine the amount of hours that must have been put in to this project and fortunately Casey had help at hand in the shape of video editor Aaron Valdez and sound designer and mixed Bryan Pugh.  The result is something of an internet phenomenon – and just goes to show what might not be created in the future should certain laws come to pass.

Order a pizza, gather round you everything you will need for two hours of empirical wallowing and enjoy this in all its hand-made glory!

22 August 2011

Tron Vader

Even Badass Villains need to change their wardrobe from time to time.  Here, Darth Vader goes Digital in his Tron Powered Blue Robes, ready to take over the Grid, Tron style! There was a collective dropping of jaws when we first saw Tron Vader here at Kuriositas – and so we begged the artist to allow us to feature it on the site. As you can see we got a positive response!

The artist, Roderique Arisiaman, is known online as Dracorubio (and he has a very cool website). He is a Dutch artist who works with photography, photomanipulation and design. On the side he also does ceramics and paintings, and tattoo-artist and woodcarving are on his list of things to do when he grows up.

Oh and the answer is yes – this awesome piece of art is also available as a print. Or for that matter, on canvas, as an iPhone Case or a laptop and iPad skin.  Go over to Society6 to choose your size and style.

10 July 2011

The Dark Side - Eclectic Method


Eclectic Method, featuring London natives Jonny Wilson, Ian Edgar and Geoff Gamlen – helped pioneer the emerging art of audio-visual mixing back in the early days of this century. 

Now they go even further back to a long time ago, in a galaxy far far away with this rather delicious mash-up of instances in the Star Wars movies (and way, way beyond) where the phrase The Dark Side has been employed.

It's ingenious, it's cool - it's also very funny.  Enjoy!

20 March 2011

Mr and Mrs Vader

Just when you think that the universe is safe then one of the greatest arch villains of all time, Darth Vader – goes and gets himself hitched.  Now this is the second time he has been married, if you count that liaison with rather unfortunate consequences between a young Jedi known then as Anakin Skywalker and the beautiful Padmé Amidala.  Plus of course if twins run in the family then the universe may be in even greater peril than we had hitherto imagined.

Seriously – or not – this very cool photo was taken at DragonCon 2008. 

25 February 2011

The British Census Looms...


(Just in case you need an explanation – in the last British census, over one hundred thousand people stated on their form that their religion was Jedi.  This was a concerted campaign to complain, in a very British way, about the additional questions that had been placed on the form and were seen as an invasion of privacy.  Many did it just to poke fun at the government, however. The Jedi census phenomenon as it became known gave rise to a movement to establish "genuine" Jediism.)

12 November 2010

Science Fiction Art by Ssoosay

Ssoosay is an enigmatic digi-artist who likes nothing more than toying with the celebrities of our modern media as well as TV shows and films. I have enjoyed his work for some time but particularly like his takes on some of my favorite science fiction shows. Here is a cross section of his work around science fiction (generally) and those involved therein.

They are playful, done with obvious adoration of the subject matter but occasionally more barbed than they at first appear.



All images above are courtesy of Ssoosay under a CC licence.

You can catch more of Ssoosay's artwork at his Flickr photostream or visit his website.

9 October 2010

Cool Star Wars Graffiti

Star Wars has embedded itself in to public consciousness throughout the world.   It has also served as inspiration for artists who have grown up with the movies and ultimately develop their own artistic take, not always it has to be said in a strictly legal manner.  Graffiti is loved by some and loathed by many but it would have to be a hard hearted Star Wars fan who didn't crack a smile when confronted with these. Here is a brief whistle stop tour of the coolest Star Wars graffiti we could find.

These Walkers can be found in Brighton, Massachussets.  As you can see from the car and the passervy the scale is grand.  Plus the walkers seem to have discovered their own sense of urban street style, being somewhat blinged up to say the very least.

Sometimes fun can be had with a little movie mix and match.  Here is Harry Fett, for example, the illegitimate child of Boba and the Dirty One.  It is to be found in Brisol, UK (also home of uber street artist Banksy).  Whether Harry had Boba's head place on him at a later date or if this was the original idea is unknown.  Either way, it has no doubt made the day of a number of people.

These Reservoir Storm Troopers are in the Waterloo area of London, UK.  We really shouldn't give Tarantino ideas, though.

Darth Vader makes his inevitable appearance in Atlanta, Georgia. The outsretched hand means there is only one thing he can be about to say...

...you guessed it.

There is only one Star Wars King of Cool, however.  This Han can be found in Leon, Spain.

Returning briefly to Brighton, MA, Han acknowledges his position as coolest being in the galaxy with his usual taciturn monosyllabism.

There must be something about Star Wars and towns with the name of Brighton.  Here is Yoda, in the sunny (sometimes) English coastal resort of Brighton.  The detail is incredible.

Pensacola, Florida is the home of this Walker, given something of a cowboy motif.

Always remember - Chewie is your friend.

The residents of Olympia, Washington have this more old school graffiti rendition of the cast of the Star Wars movies.

You would have to visit Athens in Greece is you hanted to see this piece of street art.

Perhaps the best of the set - and previously featured on Kuriositas here.  Found in Krakow, Poland, Han is sometimes antisocial - but always antifascist.

22 August 2010

Darth Vader Does Tai Chi


Hey you!  Yes, you!  Bored as a BD-D4? As slow and listless as Jek Tono Porkins? Then why not take up the ancient Chinese martial art of Tai Chi?

No need to worry if you are a beginner.  If you are going to learn, learn from a master.  Our in house expert Mister Darth Vader (DV to his friends, as seen on Oprah and Ellen) will take you through your paces and reveal to you the secrets of Tai Chi. After all – the word chi in Chinese means life-force and it is the energy created by all living beings in the universe.

And DV sure knows how to use the force! So can you!  Tell us how you get on copying DV's moves on his FACEBOOK PAGE.

Hey! We know he comes with something of a reputation, but, rest assured.  Our fully comprehensive insurance policy will ensure that in the case of accidental decapitation your nearest and dearest will want for nothing. 

So, sit back and take in the 42-Form as it is known in Tai Chi circles.  You’re sure to want to sign up when you see DV go through his moves! Explore your inner calm, find that relaxed concentration and, most of all discover that lethal inner precision you always knew you had. 

Terms and conditions apply. Kuriositas assumes no responsibility for damages or injury related to prolonged exposure to the dark side. Darth Vader Does Tau Chi is not a trademark, it's more of an oxymoron.



Seriously, though - how good was that?  A real labor of love by Vimeo user and Star Wars fan John Leo.

18 July 2010

Darth Vader Banned from Star Wars Conventions

Some news of a sad nature. Dave Prowse, the 75 year old actor who played Darth Vader in the original Star Wars trilogy has, it seems, been banned from any convention that has a connection with Lucasfilm. Can you really have a proper convention without Darth Vader?

On his website, Prowse states ‘I am not to be invited to C5 this year or any other Lucas Film (sic) associated events. After enquiring, the only thing I have been told is that I have "burnt too many bridges between Lucas Film and myself" - no other reason given.’ What the burnt bridges may be referring to is not exactly a secret.

Prowse has never hidden his chagrin that George Lucas originally agreed to allow the bodybuilding six foot six actor appear at the end of Return when Vader’s mask finally comes off. When the film was released it was another actor who appeared in place of Prowse.

Celebration V, which takes place in August and which will be playing host this year to Luke Skywalker (aka Mark Hamill) will now, it seems be without Dave Prowse - pictured above at last year's convention. Ironic that on the Celebration V website, this is stated:

Star Wars Celebration is the official Lucasfilm event celebrating all things Star Wars, produced by fans for fans. Celebrations are the largest Star Wars parties, featuring cast and crew celebrities, fans, costumes, music, live entertainment, autographs, collectibles, and panels — but mainly friends who gather to have fun and celebrate their love for the saga.

Grrr.  If Dave Prowse is not all things Star Wars, then goodness only knows what is. However, Prowse states that he will be at other conventions across the globe.

To be frank, we at Kuriositas will always remember Mr Prowse as the original Darth Vader, but we recall him much more fondly for his role in the 1970s as the Green Cross Code Man (or, just simply Green Cross). This superhero saved as many lives as Darth Vader took away with his sensible advice about how to cross roads safely.

We will always warmly and with a smile recollect, as any British person of a certain age will, his safety mantra.

Always Use the Green Cross Code
Because I won't be there when you cross the road.


So, just for nostalgia's sake, here is one of those adverts.