THERE IS ONE

@idea.soup

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SoundTikTok sound · original sound - idea.soup

Why it worked

The video taps into the fascination with time travel and the uncanny valley effect in art, presenting a compelling, albeit speculative, narrative about a historical figure. The use of striking visual examples and the creator's engaging delivery likely contributed to its shareability.

Summary

The video discusses the paintings of Alex Colville, suggesting that his realistic and uncanny style implies he may have been a time traveler. The creator highlights specific paintings, like one from 1965 and another from 1954, emphasizing how they predate computer graphics and possess a quality that makes them seem almost digital.

Structure

1Introduction of a time traveler artist
2Painting from 1965 mistaken for a video game
3Painting from 1954 predates computer graphics
4Artist's uncanny style and WWII service
5The brain's perception of digital vs. painted art

On-screen text

THERE IS ONE PERSON IN HISTORY IS A TIME TRAVELLER MADE THIS BECAUSE THIS IS NOT A VIDEO GAME PAINTING FROM 1965 ALEX COLVILLE AND THERE'S NO NOT TRAVEL TO THE FUTURE PS2 VIDEO GAME BACK AND PAINT THIS HE PAINTED THIS IN 1954 BEFORE A COMPUTER HAD EVER RENDERED ANYTHING I REALLY LIKE THEY HAVE THIS UNEASY QUALITY TO THEM HE SERVED IN WORLD WAR 2 WITH DISTINCTION FEEL THAT HE TIME MACHINE THERE THAT IS THE MAN WHO HAS BEEN TO THE FUTURE DESPERATELY TO HIDE IT LOOK IN THOSE EYES IT'S WEIRD NO MATTER HOW AT THIS FOR I KNOW IT'S MY BRAIN CAN'T ACCEPT THAT IT'S MY BRAIN JUST SEES DIGITAL IT'S IT'S JUST SO WEIRD HOW OUR BRAIN WORK IN

Original caption

it’s like my eyes are lying to me #interestingfacts #funfacts #EduTok #History #arthistory

More from @idea.soup

More breakout videos from this creator.

Transcript

There is one person in history who I'm convinced is a time traveller. He made this because this is not a video game. This is a painting from 1965. Alex Colville. And there's no way he did not travel to the future. Look at a PS2 video game, back and paint this. He painted this in 1954 before a computer had ever rendered anything. I really like his paintings. They have this uneasy quality to them. He served in World War 2 with distinction and I just can't help but feel that he found a time machine there. Look at him. That is the face of a man who has been to the future and is trying desperately to hide it. Look in those eyes. It's weird. No matter how long I look at this for, I know it's a painting, but my brain can't accept that it's a painting. My brain just sees digital. It's, it's just so weird how our brain works in.