dorothy reimagines the solar system to celebrate icons of electronic + alternative music

UK-based creative studio dorothy released two vintage-style prints depicting its take on the solar system. the artworks substitute the sun, planets, moons, and other satellites with the names of bands and musicians from the world of electronic and alternative music to convey the powerful connections between key players. ‘just like the planets orbit the sun and the moons orbit the planets, our new [solar system prints] map out the massive pull and influence that bands like kraftwerk, CAN, the beatles and the velvet underground have had on each other and the scenes and bands that have followed them,‘ shares the studio. 

all images © dorothy

the electronic solar system 

the first print, titled ‘electronic solar system’, depicts the ‘orbital’ pull that EDM and progressive music icons held within their genres. the german band kraftwerk is at the center, radiating massive force, while CAN, brian eno and depeche mode closely orbit it. traveling outwards, the pioneers of acid house – phuture, juan atkins, derrick may, and kevin saunderson – are orbiting techno giant the belleville three. you’ll also find radiohead, autechre, boards of canada, oneothrix point never, and squarepusher keeping the aphex twin orbit in good company. piercing through the system like a comet is delia derbyshire from BBC radiophonic workshop, with techno trailblazer björk right next to it.

electronic titans kraftwerk at the center of the solar system, closely orbited by CAN and brian eno

the alternative solar system 

meanwhile, the ‘alternative solar system’ illustrates the cosmic influence of bands that dominated genres like brit pop, pop rock, punk rock, and so on. radiating their power at the center are the beatles, closely orbited by the rolling stones, pink floyd, david bowie, and the velvet underground. moving further out, the map features the ramones as a punk planet with the new york dolls, television, talking heads, patti smith, and blondie encircling it. at the edges, planet nirvana is orbited by the pixies, the breeders, and sonic youth. the system is completed with joy division appearing as ‘a cluster of aster making their own path around the sun, and jimi hendrix is a comet, blazing across the obits of other guitar legends – led zeppelin, cream and the yardbirds,’ reveals dorothy. 

featuring 80’s synth pioneers depeche mode, gary numan and the human league

pioneering electronic composer delia derbyshire (BBC radiophonic workshop) and techno trailblazer björk

dorothy’s alternative solar system

the beatles shine brightly at the center, orbited by the rolling stones, pink floyd and david bowie

the ramones, on their planet of punk close to new york dolls, television, talking heads,  and patti smith

jimi hendrix blazes like a comet across the orbits of led zeppelin, cream, and the yardbirds

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project info:

series name: across the universe
print titles: electronic solar system, alternative solar system
design: dorothy

type: color litho prints

material: 120 gsm uncoated paper
dimensions: 40 x 50 cm (HxW)

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lea zeitoun | designboom