The Evolutionary Biology of Hyrule
August 10, 2011Well it’s been almost 3 years since LA-based production company iam8bit put on one of their legendary eponymous video game themed art shows, but the wait is almost over! SUPER iam8bit opens to the general public tomorrow night at the recently renovated iam8bit headquarters located in the Echo Park neighborhood of Los Angeles.
For my contribution to the show, I created Magna Arbor Vitae Deku (traslated “The Great Deku Tree of Life”) a sprawling exploration of the evolutionary biology of the 200 most important species from the Legend of Zelda video game series. Complete with binomial Latin names (Zora Bellator and Zora Fluvialis share a common ancestor with the more peaceful species Zora Sapien, for example), the brances of the Deku tree trace the evolution of each species over millions of years. Forks in the branches indicate an extinct common ancestor of the species that follow.
Detail of some lifeforms from the cnidaria and ocularia phylums
Detail of some lifeforms from the Plantamalia phylum
Detail of some lifeforms from the Zora genus, the Blin genus, and some other amphibians and mammals
Detail of some lifeforms from the Primate order, as well as some other mammals
Detail of some lifeforms from the Draconem genus, the Dinosauria superorder, and the Aves class
All the species grouped by scientific binomials
Magna Arbor Vitae Deku will be available in a very limited edition of 15 at the SUPER iam8bit opening (#1 will be framed in a cool one-of-a-kind distressed wooden frame).
SUPER iam8bit
Opening reception August 11, 2011 7pm–11pm
2147 W. Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026
http://iam8bit.com/the-art-show/
OMG! Can I get a poster of this? Or a print I mean…
If there are any prints left after the show ends I’ll let you know. Otherwise I will be releasing posters after the show ends.
Saw the show last night and this was by far my favorite piece. Well done.
Hi Bethany, I’d be happy to add you to my list but I just noticed your name doesn’t link to an email or Facebook account. Feel free to leave contact info here or email me at jude@judebuffum.com
Thanks!
[...] .nrelate .nr_sponsored{ left:0px !important; } // This piece entitled Magna Arbor Vitae Deku is by Jude Buffum. It is a, “sprawling exploration of the evolutionary biology of the 200 most important [...]
You do know that binomial nomenclature, the species is always lower case, e.g., Homo sapiens NOT Homo Sapiens….
Heh obviously I did NOT know that! Now I do.
It’s all in good fun, as I mentioned to another commenter, I’m an artist not a scientist. You do know that Hyrule is make believe yes?
Very good point by Jon, while I love this piece of art I think a bit of extra research to avoid such a large error would of gone a long way (yes this aspect of the nomenclature is pretty large and is taught in high school biology). With that in mind I don’t thin you’re in a position to be making fun of him.
With that aside great work.
[...] Jude Buffum has come up with this impressive (and informative!) piece called Magna Arbor Vitae Deku. It’s [...]
[...] Jude Buffum has come up with this impressive (and informative!) piece called Magna Arbor Vitae Deku. It’s [...]
This is excellent. I would really love one. If there’s any way that there’s one of those 15 left after the show, could I please buy it?
Hi Jasper,
After the show comes down, if there are any left I will email you. Thanks!
Thanks! You’ve put me in the awkward position of hoping it doesn’t go well, just so I can have one, but hoping you have a great show! Damn.
[...] creatures within Hyrule. Check it out after the description or check out his post with close ups here. I created Magna Arbor Vitae Deku (traslated “The Great Deku Tree of Life”) a sprawling [...]
[...] Pour en profiter aussi, on se contentera donc, comme la majorité, de la version jpeg proposée par l’auteur sur son blog. [...]
Do you know yet the prices (for regular edition and #1)? Please contact me through my website — http://www.sugarsock.com or the email address associated with this comment — if you would like to sell one or so in advance.
where the Windfish at?
I left out all the species from Link’s Awakening for reasons obvious to anyone who’s played it that I won’t spoil here. I had to cut quite a few characters, especially the whales given their size so I could only fit three whales and in the end I went with my own personal preference.
all the binomials are in an incorrect format…species name is not supposed to be capitalized…..you must be pissed after you put so much work in LOL. that kind of thing bugs me a lot. you went out to make a tree of life and messed up the format. you should have done a little more research.
Oh well, so I pissed off a few Latin snobs; I think I can live with that! I’m sure a few of my taxonomical classifications are incorrect too; again, it’s all in good fun and I’m an artist, not a scientist! Good to know for future reference though, thank you for the grammar lesson
It bugs me slightly cause Ive had a lot of bio classes LOL, but i think the idea is really cool and well executed. Kudos.
Dear Lord I hope you make a poster print out of this down the road. I was seriously contemplating skipping out on work and driving 7 hours to LA to buy the limited edition print just to have a copy, but turns out, I like having a place to live too. But I would love to have a copy of this in some form hanging in my apartment.
Amazing work!
Please email me if you ever do make prints, if you even remember one random reply on the internet (not snarky, I know I would forget)
Thanks! And have a great show tonight.
Will do
Hi Joe, I’d be happy to add you to my list but I just noticed your name doesn’t link to an email or Facebook account. Feel free to leave contact info here or email me at jude@judebuffum.com
Thanks!
I’m just stopping by to say Please! make prints of this amazing piece. Thanks!
Hi Andrew! There are 15 giclee prints on canvas available from the gallery. If there are any prints left after the show ends I’ll let you know. Otherwise I will be releasing posters after the show ends.
Hi Andrew. I’d be happy to add you to my list but I just noticed your name doesn’t link to an email or Facebook account. Feel free to leave contact info here or email me at jude@judebuffum.com
Thanks!
[...] Esta vez le tocó a Street Fighter y Zelda recibir este trato por parte de Bastien Vives y Jude Buffum [...]
I, too, would (very) happily purchase a poster/print of this piece, should any be available.
I appreciate the piece’s understated presentation (it’s classy) and the time, enthusiasm and consideration put into it. It’s awesome!
Thanks so much! If there are any prints left after the show ends I’ll let you know. Otherwise I will be releasing posters after the show ends.
I’d be happy to add you to my list but I just noticed your name doesn’t link to an email or Facebook account. Feel free to leave contact info here or email me at jude@judebuffum.com
Thanks!
This is simply amazing Jude. I’m truly impressed with the extreme amount of detail that you put into this. I won’t be able to make it to the iam8bit show, but if you ever decide to make this into purchasable prints, I’m there dude.
- Justin Page (Rampaged Reality)
Blog Post: http://bit.ly/nSAsuP
Sure thing man! Also, thanks for all the tweeting you do of my work, appreciate the support!
Oh man, I wish I could get a print of this but it’s so limited. ;.;
Hi Rachel! If there are any prints left after the show ends I’ll let you know. Otherwise I will be releasing posters after the show ends.
Just to echo the sentiments above, I really would like to obtain a print of this as well. Beautifully executed, and the style rides the line between cartoony and industrial illustration. Please do email me if something becomes available.
Thank you! If there are any prints left after the show ends I’ll let you know. Otherwise I will be releasing posters after the show ends.
I would also like to request to buy a print (even a framed one) though given the line above me in the comment thread I’m sure it will not happen.
I think your art style is absolutely stunning.
If there are any prints left after the show ends I’ll let you know. Otherwise I will be releasing posters after the show ends.
I’d be happy to but your name doesn’t link to an email or Facebook account. Feel free to leave contact info here or email me at jude@judebuffum.com
Thanks!
If you would consider producing more prints or whatever, I would buy =) This is incredible, absolutely so. Even if the taxonomical labels are technically incorrect, the thought is what counts, and this is the bestest thing ever.
Putting together a list for eventual posters, I’ll add you to this list!
Hi Caitlin, I’d be happy to but your name doesn’t link to an email or Facebook account. Feel free to leave contact info here or email me at jude@judebuffum.com
Thanks!
Please make prints of these for those of us not in LA. Would love one of these!
Putting together a list for eventual posters, I will add you to this list!
Hi Mer, I’d be happy to but your name doesn’t link to an email or Facebook account. Feel free to leave contact info here or email me at jude@judebuffum.com
Thanks!
Hey Jude. Just wondering where Gohma from Wind Waker is. Seems like an important species to include.
I had to cut about 20 species from the final and that was one of the hardest ones to have to leave out, as I LOVE that boss.
Although if you want my scientific excuse, that boss is simply a fully grown Scolopendra magmacauda (Magtail)
I am also interested in a poster as well. I hope your show went well and amazing work you have all over!
Thanks! I’ll add you to the poster list.
I have been a long time fan of the Zelda series, and this would look amazing on my wall. If I could also get on your list for possible future prints that would be stupendous.
You got it!
[...] worry, Juder will release posters of the print after the show ends. Check out The Jude’s website for magna-sized pictures. I suggest you alternate between the tree itself and the names to discover [...]
Any plans to stick this on a tshirt someday? Maybe tree on front, list on back? Though I don’t think the list would show well so probably could leave it off.
Anyway I would definitely buy a shirt! I don’t do posters anymore
I feel ya on the anti-poster stance; I just ran out of wall space myself. I would love to do shirts, but the piece is actually so large that I’d have to shrink it down to fit on a shirt and in doing so I think many of the smaller creatures would just look like tiny specks.
[...] img{border:2px solid #cfcfcf}#gallery-1 .gallery-caption{margin-left:0} [His Judeness via technabob]picadService.initialize(); Tweet (function(){var [...]
[...] [His Judeness via technabob] [...]
[...] nossa vida cotidiana. Se quiser ver a explicação completa da arvore vá pra pagina do camarada Jude Buffum, lá ele esmiúça toda essa belezura [...]
Hi Jude,
I’d love the chance to buy a copy of this too – please add me to the contact list for when you get the posters sorted out!
Thanks – and nice work!
Mark
Thanks! I’ll add you to the list.
Hi Mark, I’d be happy to but your name doesn’t link to an email or Facebook account. Feel free to leave contact info here or email me at jude@judebuffum.com
Thanks!
[...] ilustración fue creada por el artista Jude Buffum, la cual lleva por nombre “Magna Arbor Vitae Deku“, y en ella podemos admirar a 200 de [...]
[...] (Jude Buffum via Gamefreaks) [...]
This is simply gorgeous. A real labour of love, and very classy. I’d love to have it on my wall when you market it to the wider world.
I’ll add you to my list of people to contact once I have posters made (or prints are left after the show).
[...] Biology Chart of the Day: For his contribution to the Super iam8it art show, Jude Buffum charted 200 of Hyrule’s most important species in a print called “Magna Arbor Vitae [...]
Masterful job, if you could contact me when posters are available, I would be eternally grateful!
Thanks, will do!
Hi Maria, I’d be happy to but your name doesn’t link to an email or Facebook account. Feel free to leave contact info here or email me at jude@judebuffum.com
Thanks!
[...] Jude’s Website viaThe Evolutionary Biology of Hyrule: A Link to the Deku Tree [technabob] [...]
[...] don’t worry, Juder will release posters of the print after the show ends. Check out The Jude’s website for magna-sized pictures. I suggest you alternate between the tree itself and the names to discover [...]
[...] don’t worry, Juder will release posters of the print after the show ends. Check out The Jude’s website for magna-sized pictures. I suggest you alternate between the tree itself and the names to discover [...]
This is beyond awesome.
[...] (Jude Buffum via Gamefreaks) [...]
[...] | Kotaku, Jude Buffum En Vidaextra | Imagen de la semana: descomunal póster del ‘The Legend of Zelda’ con [...]
[...] The Evolutionary Biology of Hyrule [...]
[...] | Kotaku, Jude BuffumEn Vidaextra | Imagen de la semana: descomunal póster del ‘The Legend of Zelda’ con infinidad [...]
[...] de especies que nos estamos perdiendo. En esta ocasión es Jude Buffum, también conocido como The Jude, el encargado de realizar esta tarea, y lo consigue con una soberbia ilustración, que lleva por [...]
[...] | Kotaku, Jude Buffum En Vidaextra | Imagen de la semana: descomunal póster del ‘The Legend of Zelda’ con [...]
[...] para mas info, y poder comprarlo, click aqui. [...]
Okay, add me to the very long list now of people to contact when the poster becomes available, this is simply amazing!
It’s the exact kind of subtle nerdy art I love. People who are into it will get it, but even those who don’t can still see a beautiful work of art. Wonderful job!
Hi Jackie, I’d be happy to but your name doesn’t link to an email or Facebook account. Feel free to leave contact info here or email me at jude@judebuffum.com
Thanks!
Can you add me to the contact list when posters are available?
Hi Christina, I’d be happy to but your name doesn’t link to an email or Facebook account. Feel free to leave contact info here or email me at jude@judebuffum.com
Thanks!
[...] Jude’s Website viaThe Evolutionary Biology of Hyrule: A Link to a Deku Tree [technabob] [...]
Amazing! But… where are the phantoms??
I wanted to focus purely on the biology of Hyrule, so I left out creatures that are basically spirits or undead versions of other species (for example Skull Kids are just cursed versions of Kokiri and Stalfos are undead/cursed Hylians).
I too would LOVE a poster of this. What are the dimensions of the poster you had at the show?
The poster will most likely be 30″ x 40″. The giclee print at the show was a few inches smaller than that.
I’d be happy to add you to my list of people to contact about the poster, but your name doesn’t link to an email or Facebook account. Feel free to leave contact info here or email me at jude@judebuffum.com
Thanks!
[...] of years. Forks in the branches indicate an extinct common ancestor of the species that follow.[Jude's Website]picadService.initialize();Tags: evolutionary biology, Jude Buffum, poster, zelda Tweet [...]
[...] [Jude's Website] [...]
Recently I’ve really gotten into videogame art, and this is one of the coolest pieces I’ve ever seen! I know you’ve gotten this many times over the past few days, but if it wouldn’t be too much trouble could you add me to a mailing list for print copies of this? Thank you very, very much in advance!
Hi Alex, I’d be happy to but your name doesn’t link to an email or Facebook account. Feel free to leave contact info here or email me at jude@judebuffum.com
Thanks!
Of course, my email is anewkuzyk@hotmail.com. Thanks for the response!
i like animation movies
MTECH COMPUTER
Please let me know how to buy one of these as well.
[...] personas que son grandes fanáticos de Zelda y están aquellos que son tan fanáticos como Jude Buffum. ¿Por qué lo digo? Pues bien Jude se ha encargado de crear esta ilustración en la que se dedica [...]
[...] different species in binomial Latin. You can check out this algebraic masterpiece in all its glory here. How many Zelda-universe flora and fauna can you [...]
[...] this doesn’t get your role playing thumbs twitching, nothing will. Jude Buffum’s evolutionary biology of Hyrule details 200 of ‘the most important’ creatures from The [...]
[...] The Evolutionary Biology of Hyrule [...]
Definitely want a print if you make one. My boyfriend would love this!
[...] Infographic outlining the Evolutionary Biology of Hyrule [...]
adding a request to be on the notification list for posters!!
It’s awesome! Please, please, please, make prints available to your fans overseas.
Amazing work. I would like to buy a poster when they are available.
Hi CDR, I’d be happy to but your name doesn’t link to an email or Facebook account. Feel free to leave contact info here or email me at jude@judebuffum.com
Thanks!
Wow, I’m so impressed! Beautiful and awesome! I would also like a poster when they come out. I’m sure you have a ton of requests already but if you’re making a list I figured I better let you know I’m also interested!!
Isa again, thought my name would link to my email but it doesn’t. It should now link to my FB.
I believe I have both your fb and email, but I will contact both when the posters are online (I’m hoping to have them in hand by the end of the week!)
Love this! Especially the pixelated artwork. Great work man! You “might” be interested iny my webcomics, also a pixelated thing going on…
How do you get your pixelated effect? I used ye olde MS Paintbrush (back in the day) to make my webcomics. I’m looking for a new approach… I feel very inspired by your work!
I paint each pixel one at a time. Occasionally I incorporate existing sprite work from old games, but if I do I change it significantly. But for the most part I do each pixel from scratch.
Jude,
Could you PLEASE let me know if I could buy an artist proof of The Evolutionary Biology of Hyrule? If not, a poster or some type of non-numbered version would be great… I know you have a ton of requests, but please add me to the list. Are you contacting people when they come available? Thanks so much.
A big fan of this and other pieces of your work.
Bryan
Hi Bryan,
Thanks! The posters should be shipping to me from the printer tomorrow, so hopefully I will have them by the week’s end. The proof poster looked great, but I want to wait until I get the shipment to inspect and make sure they all look good before posting them online. I will add your email to my list and email you and everyone else on the list as soon as they are available!
I need this poster in my life! I would love to buy one if it’s something I can afford.
Aw thanks Bethany! I’ve added your email to my list and will let you know once the posters are in stock (week’s end I hope!).
[...] @Garotasnerds. O ilustrador Jude Buffum criou o projeto Magna Arbor Vitae Deku (The Great Deku Tree of Life) uma exploração extensa na [...]
[...] don’t normally blog when I add a new item to my shop, but the demand for posters of Magna Arbor Vitae Deku were so great that I felt I could make an exception! The 15 giclee canvas prints from SUPER iam8bit [...]
How are you shipping these?
Hi Allan,
They are shipping in heavy duty tubes, Priority Mail for US orders, First Class for International orders. I’m charging 7.99 for shipping, though the actual cost varies from $6 to 10 depending on where it’s going. Let me know if you have any other questions. Thanks!
I like your site some interesting stuff on it keep up the gud work.
Do you have any of these left?! I just came across this on Pinterest and seriously NEED this poster!!!
Hi Kirsten, yep you can buy the posters in my shop:
http://judebuffum.wordpress.com/shop/
i like these poster
[...] Details here! [...]