Syd Mead, the visionary concept artist who helped to craft the worlds of several science-fiction classics, has died at 86, multiple outlets reported.
According toVariety, Mead died on Monday at his home in Pasadena, California, after experiencing complications from a three-year battle with lymphoma. He was preparing to receive the Art Directors Guild’s William Cameron Menzies Award at the Guild’s 24th Annual awards in February, the outlet said.
Art Directors Guild president Nelson Coates called Mead a “visionary illustrator” in a statement to theHollywood Reporter.
“I am so saddened to hear of the passing of visionary illustrator and concept artist Syd Mead,” Coates said. “His pivotal role in shaping cinema was /unique, with a singular ability to visualize the future.”
“As one of the most influential conceptual artists of our time, his visions and illustrations of future technological worlds will remain as a testament to his vast imagination,” he added.
Mead first launched his career as a designer at Ford Motor Company after serving three years in the U.S. Army,Gizmodosaid. He went on to start his own design firm, Syd Mead Inc., which lead into his work in film.
“Blade Runner”.Ladd Company/Warner Bros/Kobal/Shutterstock
His first major foray into cinema was onStar Trek: The Motion Picture.For his next film, he would craft a vision of 2019 Los Angeles for Ridley Scott’sBlade Runner, starringHarrison Ford.It would become one of his finest achievements.
“I thought, we’re at 2,500 feet now, let’s boost it to 3,000 feet, and then pretend the city has an upper city and lower city. The street level becomes the basement, and decent people just don’t want to go there.”
Mead also worked on the film’s sequel,Blade Runner 2049,starring Ford andRyan Gosling. His other recent works includeElysiumandGeorge Clooney’sTomorrowland.
Earlier this year,Blade RunnerstarRutger Hauerdiedat the age of 75.
source: people.com
