Disasters in the Sky #5

H. C. Westermann's first prints were ten linoleum prints (similar to woodcuts) made between 1962 and 1966. Five of these, each bearing the title Disasters in the Sky, show a flying object—a rocket ship, airplane, or bat-like figure—before, while, or after colliding with one or more tall buildings. The largest of Westermann?s linoleum cuts, Disasters in the Sky #5 depicts a plane flying directly above a building struck from the left, where a gaping hole emits a serpentine stream of smoke. The scene, which may allude to the 1945 crash of a B-25 bomber into the Empire State Building, also recalls illustrations from contemporary popular magazines, such as Air Wonder Series. Westermann often took inspiration from popular culture: references to science-fiction novels and films, comics, and music appear throughout his art.