Because it's not super obvious from the map link: there is an app distributed by the artist, with which you can "collect" each of the pieces by taking a picture of them
Interesting. There's only one shown in London. I've certainly seen another near Borough Market - and according to this article from 2007, there were 75 in London back then. https://londonist.com/2007/01/random_graffiti_17
If you click on the icon over London, it shows there are 150 there. The global map is 1 invader icon per city tagged, and clicking into a city shows a lot more (and images too!).
I personally think such maps remove the fun part of the game, esp in cities like Paris. I’ve walked countless hours with my kids searching for them, it was great. They re not randomly placed so you eventually get a feel for where they are going to be. Now, I also understand that I don’t have to use it.
It’s worth noting that in some cities ( Montpellier in particular) the space invaders draw a space invader on the map itself ! The map therefore becomes part of the art.
I did a Space Invader hunt in Paris about 7 year ago and used Invader's map (an early paper version). It was still fun! It was nice to have an idea which neighborhood to go to then take my time and look. It wouldn't be fun if it were too specific though, like an AR app guiding you to the exact spot.
The most fun for me is seeing them as a surprise. Most recent example was in Bilbão, a beautiful site on the river near the gorgeous old train station. Enjoying all the scenery and then bam, there's an Invader, placed just perfectly to be visible but unobtrusive.
I'm guessing this is to avoid running into licensing issues with the photos? Or just trying to make it easier for people to not have to use a different app to upload their shots? Or maybe just to make the associated bandwidth someone else's problem? I don't know, but I agree, "real" images would be a lot nicer.
The "Flash Invaders" app fosters a (friendly) competition among Invaders fans (often, families), so publishing a map is a way of distorting the competition (i.e. "cheating") and so, a bit unfortunate, IMHO.
OTOH, I can appreciate that some people could prefer to enjoy Invader's art in a more systematic way (i.e. planning a stroll with this as an explicit goal).
But for me, discovery and serendipity are part of the game.
Author here, I agree with this sentiment! Just wanted to note that it's not the first map: there is an unofficial iOS app with a full Paris map and another web map easily findable on Google. I just didn't like any of the existing maps:). More context and making-of of this map -> https://newsletter.pnote.eu/p/mapping-space-invader-mosaics-...
Agreed. My son and I have settled on a hybrid version : prepare the hunt, but don’t use ready made maps.
We use Flickr,Google, Invader spotter, and slowly build a map of a specific area. Some of them we will then find from said map, others we will find while walking around randomly. Preparing properly can take several hours, so it feels like playing.
This, and if I’m honest, my son loves the anticipation that comes with the prep (‘that one’s beautiful, I want to see it for real’), and so do I.
We were there over the summer and this was such a fantastic activity for my kids. It got them looking up at the buildings and really helped draw their attention to architecture and build a better mental map in their heads of the city. Not going to comment on if having a map is good or not, but the project is amazing.
I remember being introduced to Invader through the Exit Through the Gift Shop film, but I didn't realize that "collecting" space invaders was a thing. Interesting stuff.
Is there a particular reason behind Space Invaders being the theme of choice here? I read the "About" page and it suggests the mosaics are also some kind of little ARG, it seems.
Ah, interesting, he mentions it started with him trying to represent pixels through ceramic tiles. That's a neat concept and he's apparently been at it for 25+ years now, that is dedication.
Can you tell me more, which GET requests, which URLs? I only see requests for the map tiles as the page is scrolling. (Try in incognito window with extensions disabled to make sure you don't have an extension interfering with the page.)
I used to have a pair of vintage Space Invaders sneakers that I ordered from the artist's web site that left footprints of Space Invaders with "01 POINT" for each footstep.
Damn, they're now going for €950,00 a pair in their original box, but I scored enough points by invading Amsterdam and Paris, sneaking around hunting for Space Invaders mosaics with them, that it was totally worth it!
>It's hard to find anyone who hasn't ever played and appreciated the game Space Invaders before. Some kooky French guy loved the game so much he started spreading his fascination by finding ways to invade the world, city by city, with the little aliens. He has already invaded Paris, and has frighteningly good maps for all the other invasions he plans. He travels around putting up small mosaics of the old-school space alien logo. He's already tagged six of the nine letters of the infamous Hollywood sign in LA, although he wouldn't consider what he does graffiti. He designed this shoe as a small part of his invasion. On the sole of each shoe are an alien and the words "01 point" in relief so that every time you walk on wet cement, sand, or whatever you leave your invasion mark! Each shoebox is signed, and only 1500 were produced. --Josh Spear
The first time I invaded Paris (before I got the sneakers), I walked from the train station and almost immediately saw my first Space Invader on the side of a building!
Then I walked around some more, and checked into the first cheap hotel I could find near the train station, dumped my luggage, and went out for an exploratory walk looking for more, without bothering to remember which hotel I'd checked into, or write down the address...
It turned into a VERY LONG epic meandering wander all around the city, discovering many Space Invaders and other interesting sights along the way, and I finally went back to the train station and attempted to retrace my steps to the first cheap hotel I could find again.
Many hours and kilometers and much exercise and lots of space invaders later, I was relieved to finally find my cheap hotel again. But it was a wonderful experience, that kept me looking up at the architecture, trying to find my cheap hotel again while taking photos of all the Space Invaders I encountered, instead looking at my feet or my phone like a tourist.
Interestingly the one here in Utrecht isn't on the list, it's been up for as long as streetview has images available, since 2009, and gets repaired ocasionally. Now I wonder if it's legit
https://space-invaders.com/flashinvaders/
It's fun :p