Sponsored message
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

Arts & Entertainment

Know Your Space Invaders

This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.

Before Halo, before Gears of War, before Doom, there was Space Invaders: the first intergalactic shoot 'em up video game. If you're a child of the 80s you probably spent way too many hours at the arcade or with your Atari playing this classic game.

A French artist, known only as "Invader," has taken the alien figures from the game and transposed them to the streets of the whole world. Using ceramic tiles he constructs small (and sometimes mural sized) invaders on various city structures. According to Wikipedia he has spread his art "throughout the world since the 1990s, among more than 30 cities over 5 continents".

Los Angeles has its share of space invaders strewn across the city. Most of the smaller pieces have been removed, either by store owners or by collectors/eBay douchebags. Check out his site to see some of his previous "invasion" in Los Angeles.

Sponsored message

Bonus Round: A video of Invader at work.

http://www.space-invaders.com/

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.

Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.

If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.

Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today

A row of graphics payment types: Visa, MasterCard, Apple Pay and PayPal, and  below a lock with Secure Payment text to the right