Visions from the Upside Down: Stranger Things Artbook

Visions from the Upside Down: Stranger Things Artbook

Editor’s Note

You know, after watching several seasons of Stranger Things, one truly has to wonder:

Do the Duffer Bros. have the ability to time travel? Or, at the very least, access to a really good time machine?

Stepping into the world they’ve created must really be something special. We have a pretty solid understanding of the “magic” of film and television production, but they’ve gone and seemingly conjured a physical realm straight out of the mid-’80s. As someone who grew up in precisely that time frame (I was about Steve’s age, at that time), everything just feels right. Not only the gadgets and cars, the brand names and logos of companies that no longer exist, but the home furnishings, the architecture, the whole world. Hence, the question.

The look and feel of the show are so strongly founded, it only helps to give even more solid footing to the nostalgia that grows from watching. Or from repeated viewings, for that matter. We re-viewed the show before we set out on this project so that our memory would be fresher for when we began to get artwork submissions. We wanted to make sure that if someone sent in a piece of artwork that didn’t ring true, we would know right away.

When we sent out the invitations for artists to submit artwork for this project, we expected a strong response; however, we weren’t prepared for the level of the emotional aspect of it. Hundreds of artists answered with an enthusiasm and perceived level of connection we don’t normally see.

As has been the case with previous Printed In Blood artbook projects, our artists have once again outdone themselves both in content and quality. No note here can truly begin to thank our artists properly for their participation, for without them this book is just a good idea. While you flip through this volume and peruse the curated artwork before you, we hope that you will not only reconnect to your interest in the television show that has caused you to pick up this book, but that you will also be transported to alternate versions of that world. Versions that feel at once familiar and brand-new.

One of the many reasons we put together these projects is that we are art fans first and foremost. Now, our process has been realized and we anxiously await our artists’ takes, their unique visions of the world we think we already know. We love to experience that feeling of seeing a new piece of art for the first time. It is, more often than not, an amazing, eye-opening experience. We’re only too happy to invite you along to enjoy the trip.

—SH
Somewhere in NY, May 2019