David Thomas Smith’s Mind-Boggling Images Show Human Development From a Bird’s Eye View

Poring over satellite imagery on <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/google-maps/">Google Maps</a> is a fascinating way to explore the earth's topography and chart man-made development (and it's also a fantastic time suck). If you like checking out cities from the sky, then you'll love <a href="http://cargocollective.com/dtsmith/ANTHROPOCENE" target="_blank">Anthropocene</a>, a new aerial photography series by <a href="http://cargocollective.com/dtsmith/" target="_blank">David Thomas Smith</a>. Focusing on the topics of globalization, the economy and industrialization, David Thomas Smith composites aerial photographs into amazing pieces that take cues from ancient weaving techniques and persian rugs. Although these images are based in reality, they show a kaleidoscopic fantasy of the world created by man.

<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthropocene" target="_blank">Anthropocene</a> is a term used to describe the era in which modern man has made an impact on the earth. While it's not an official term in the field of geology, there's no denying that we've put our big fat footprint on the planet.

David Thomas Smith's new exhibit by explores this impact from the lens of a kaleidoscopic satellite. The Dublin-based artist re-envisions parts of the earth by carefully arranging aerial images. He also takes lessons from Persian weavers and rug makers to create symmetrical images.

Three Gorges Dam, Sandouping, Yiling, Hubei, People's Republic of China. 2010-11

Biosphere 2, Oracle, AZ, United States of America 2010-11

Delta Coal Port, Vancouver, BC, Canada, 2009-10

Three Mile Island Generating Station, Middletown, PA, United States of America 2010-11

Mall of America, East Brodway, Bloomington, MN, United States 2009-10

1000 Chrysler Dr, Auburn Hills, MI, United States 2009-10

Las Norias de Daza, Almeria, Spain 2009-10

Fimiston Open Pit, Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Western Australia, Australia, 2009-10

Silicon Valley, CA, United States of America 2009-10

Las Vegas, NV, United States of America 2009-10

Beijing International Airport, Beijing, People’s Republic of China, 2009-10