The Art of Star Trek

Thirty Years of Creating the Future

Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens

Pocket Books 1995

Reviewer: Michelle Taylor

When I first discovered The Art of Star Trek I was to say the least, over the moon. It came as something of a pleasant shock for I was totally unaware it had been published. As a lover of "the art of" books and an avid fan of Star Trek, I had long hoped for such a title and finally... here it was! The Art of Star Trek has fast become my favourite "art of" book (along with the Art of Star Wars books) and it is always near at hand.

The Art of Star Trek is everything I would have expected and more, stunning colour pictures, informative text and lavish presentation. This long overdue book covers several of Star Treks many and varied incarnations thus far on television and film alike and charts its visual evolution over more than thirty years. It is positively overflowing with many fascinating examples of the sketches and storyboards, production and matte paintings, posters, costumes, props and sets [etc] that fill the Paramount archives and private collections alike. Although most of the designs will not be used for various reasons, they loosely form the basis for how a Star Trek production might appear when completed. The concept art included in this volume has been created by many of the top film-TV designers to have worked in Hollywood throughout the years, and who have played a seminal role in shaping the distinctive aesthetic of Star Trek over its almost forty year history. Included are such artists as Andrew Probert, John Eaves, Mike Minor and Matt Jefferies, who created the first brilliant prototype Starship Enterprise in the 1960s, one which has served as the blueprint for all subsequent Starfleet starship designs.

The many individuals included in this wonderful book are the unsung talents of Star Trek, and who for the most part go unrecognized by its legions of fans. They have diligently worked long hours behind the scenes of Star Trek series and movies to create the multitude of conceptual and commercial art that helps Trek run efficiently. Their concept art and finished designs play an important role in Star Treks appeal to a devoted fanbase around the world.

Judith and Garfield Reeves Stevens have carefully chosen a wide selection of the finest art created for this most enduring of franchises. The book is arranged in a chronological order, the first half being devoted to the television series from Classic Star Trek to Voyager. The second half of the book is devoted to Star Trek motion pictures leading up to Generations. With stunning full colour photographs throughout this is a fascinating and engrossing volume. So if you haven't already got a copy in your library and are a serious Trekkie or art lover do yourself a big favour and buy this incredible book, you won't be disappointed. Since The Art of Star Trek was first published (some time ago now) the Star Trek universe has been steadily expanding, Voyager and Deep Space Nine have long finished, three more movies have been made so far... and "Enterprise" has sadly come (and gone). In their wake they have left a whole gallery of exiting new material gathering dust in the Paramount archives that hopefully will be used in The Art of Star Trek: volume two at some future date.