Hidden in the watery depths of MUSA, just off the coast of Isla Mujeres, you might come across tiny "space invaders" made out of tiles—if you know where to look. These mosaic creatures are part of a worldwide "Invasion" by a French urban street artist who goes by the pseudonym "Invader" or sometimes "Space Invader."
Who is the artist?
Various sources have identified the street artist Franck Slama as Invader. Invader operates incognito, often masked and primarily at night. He pixelates his image or wears a mask to protect his anonymity during interviews. He claims that only a few people know his true name and appearance and that his parents believe he works as a tiler in the construction industry.
He has left his mark with small space aliens in more than 20 countries and 80 cities worldwide, including Paris, Bastia, Perth, Hong Kong, Rome, Los Angeles, and, notably, Isla Mujeres, Mexico. True to his nickname, one of his artworks has even reached outer space.
Why is he doing it?
Invader considers himself a "hacker" of public spaces, spreading a mosaic "virus." He feels that museums and galleries aren't accessible to all, so he places his artwork on the streets for everyday people to appreciate regularly. He selects locations for his mosaics based on their visibility, local significance, and symbolic meaning. Each piece is unique.
Fellow street artist Shepard Fairey wrote in Swindle:
Invader’s pop art may seem shallow, but by taking the risk of illegally re-contextualizing video game characters in an urban environment that provides more chaotic social interaction than a gamer’s bedroom, he makes a statement about the desensitizing nature of video games and consumer culture. In a postmodern paradox, a game like Grand Theft Auto takes the danger of the streets and puts it in a safe video game, while Invader takes a safe video game icon and inserts it into the danger of the streets.
What is he doing?
Since 1998, Invader has installed more than 4,000 tile-based mosaics worldwide. He calls this continuous artistic venture his ‘Space Invader’ project, and he chose this name because he literally invades public space. Each of his artworks, referred to by the artist as ‘Invasions,’ features a character from Nishikado’s Space Invaders (more about him below) or a unique character inspired by arcade game culture or science fiction in general.
Whenever Invader launches a new set of mosaics in a city, he refers to them as Invasion Waves. These "invasions" usually span two to three weeks, with the installation requiring at least a week. The mosaics are mapped, catalogued, and photographed to document their locations within the city and narrate each invasion's story and strategy, known as the Invasion Guide. Based on this information, the artist produces and shares "invasion maps" of the city.
In Montpellier, the locations were selected so that, when marked on a map, they created the image of a giant Space Invaders alien.
Invader also creates QR code mosaics using black and white tiles. These patterns can be effortlessly decoded with typical QR reader apps on smartphones; one of these messages, when deciphered, states, "This is an invasion."
Since 2004, the artist Invader has been crafting artworks with Rubik's Cubes in a style called "Rubikcubism," which draws inspiration from the Cubist movement. He employs a computer program to plan the colour arrangement on each cube, adjusting one side to create a pattern. By stacking and gluing approximately 300 cubes, he constructs a full image, usually about 0.9 by 1.3 meters (3 ft × 4 ft) in size and weighing roughly 36 kilograms (80 lb), although the dimensions vary.
Who is Nishikado, and what does he have to do with the Space Invador Icon?
In Osaka, Japan 1978, Tomohiro Nishikado created an arcade game that revolutionized the gaming industry. This game was Space Invaders, and it became an instant hit. Nearly 50 years later, it is celebrated as one of the most impactful arcade games ever, with over 400,000 units sold in 1982 alone. The game featured a modern design, with alien characters inspired by the HG Wells 1898 War of the Worlds.
‘For the actual design of the aliens, I took inspiration from HG Wells’ octopus-like Martian design.’
So why choose the Space Invador Icon?
Simple. ‘They are the perfect icons of our time’, Invader argues; ‘A time where digital technologies are the heartbeat of our world’.
However, the rationale for this choice is more ingenious than it initially seems. Invader explains:
‘As these creatures are made of pixels, they are in some sort ready-made for tile reproduction.’ Also, he adds, ‘their names are literally predestined for the project I have pioneered: they are ‘Space Invaders!’.
While many of his creations prominently display his iconic aliens, Invader's collection of subjects also encompasses characters from Star Wars, the Pink Panther, Mega Man, Spider-Man, Hong Kong Phooey, Thomas from Kung-Fu Master, and Popeye. The themes can be customized to suit specific locations; for instance, areas near major bank buildings might feature mosaics with dollar signs, whereas those in Hong Kong frequently exhibit an oriental theme.
How far have these little pixelations gone?
They have gone as far as space and as deep as the ocean.
In August 2012, Invader sought to fulfil his dream of sending one of his invaders back to its origin: into space. With assistance from a high-altitude balloon, a Miami Herald Journalist and an assistant, he launched one of his creations, appropriately called Space 1, into the stratosphere, 60 km above the Earth's surface.
It ultimately took place despite being delayed due to unfavourable weather and intense heat. Following a flight of 3 hours and 53 minutes, Space 1 successfully returned to Earth. He created a short film, Art4space, capturing his successful endeavour.
Unsatisfied with merely reaching the stratosphere, Invader aimed to extend his invasion to outer space, targeting the International Space Station (ISS). To achieve this ambitious goal, he needed the collaboration of the European Space Agency (ESA), as launching anything into space requires adherence to stringent safety regulations.
In July 2014, following an extensive testing phase, a new artwork named Space 2 was loaded onto the Ariane 5 – a heavy-lift space launch vehicle – destined for space. Upon docking at the ISS, the weightless artwork began its journey, seeking the perfect location for installation…
During her 200-day mission, named Futura, Italian ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti installed the mosaic in Europe’s Columbus laboratory – a section of the ISS – on March 12, 2015.
The life beneath the waves
In 2012, Invade initiated his 'Under The Sea' project in collaboration with Jason deCaires Taylor and MUSA, located just off Isla Mujeres on Mexico's eastern coast.
This entire situation arose because Invader was determined to conquer both space above the Earth and the depths of the ocean below.
In 2012, when contemplating launching one of his Invasions underwater, he came across the works of a British artist, Jason deCaires Taylor. Jason was an environmentalist, scuba diver and underwater photographer who was represented by the same gallery as Invader.
At the time, Jason was working with Roberto Diaz and Dr Jaime Gonzalez, creating MUSA. Jason deCaires Taylor uses his art to raise awareness about ecological concerns, including biodiversity and the climate crisis. His sculptures, frequently shaped like human figures, additionally function as artificial coral reefs.
Eager to avoid interfering with his submarine colleague's work, Invader contacted deCaires Taylor to see if he was interested in collaborating. The artist accepted.
As Space Invader states on his website
"In 2007, I was thinking of creating underwater sculptures. Five years later, after I was technically ready to undergo with this project, I discovered the work of Jason de Caires who had just joined one of the gallery that was representing me. I decided not to venture into his territory and wrote him an email about the coincidence. He replied me that he was currently working on a series of new underwater sculptures and that he would love to partner with me. This is how three space invaders ended up installed at the bottom of the Cancun Bay!"
*Note. MUSA is located just off the coast of Isla Mujeres in the Manchones National Park.
Urban Reef with the Intervention of Invaders or Arrecife Urbano con la Intervención de Invader
Photo courtesy of MUSA and Malek Bee Productions
The first Space Invader is found in the area locally known as Casitas in MUSA, Isla Mujeres. The statue is part of a two-statue collection called Urban Reef by Jason deCaire Taylor.
The Silent Evolution with The Street Sweeper
Photos courtesy of MUSA Headquarters and Malek Bee Productions
The second space alien is found on The Street Cleaner, at the head of The Silent Evolution, also by Jason deCaire Taylor. However, the little alien is becoming increasingly obscured by nature.
MUSA Headquarters with Charlie Brown
Photos Courtesy of MUSA Headquarters.
The third space alien is found on a statue of a man named "Charlie Brown, " a locally famous fisherman and sailor from Puerto Morelos. He can be found at the MUSA headquarters in Cancun and can be viewed by arrangement by contacting them directly. You can contact them by clicking the box below.
How can I dive or snorkel MUSA to find them?
Pocna Dive Center has diving and snorkelling tours daily to the Manchones National Park, where you will find the MUSA underwater museum. The dive site is 10mt/30 ft and is ideal for all levels of divers.
Never dived before? No worries, you can complete a half-day introductory scuba diving experience called a Discover Scuba Diving experience, or DSD for short, that allows you to learn the basics of scuba diving, and it will take you to MUSA to view the space invaders.
How can I find the space invaders around the world?
You can click here to take you to a site with a global crowd-sourced map of the space invaders.
This map showcases the estimated locations of street art mosaics crafted by the artist Invader, highlighting over 4,000 mosaics in more than 80 locations, including Paris (with over 1,000 mosaics!), New York, Berlin, London, and Bangkok.
Though not affiliated with the artist, the map is free. It provides the approximate location (to keep some mystery) and the status of the mosaic (OK/damaged/destroyed) and allows you to mark each mosaic as flashed (or seen), which will then appear greyed out on the map. You can also discover hints, fun facts, and trivia about the mosaics and their locations.
The map also enables personal contributions, such as correcting mistakes, adding missing mosaics, or providing fun facts (hints).
You can download the official app Flash Invaders, which allows you to scan the mosaics. When you find a new one, you get points, and a triumphant melody plays. This app is incredibly popular, with over 420,000 users and over 31,000,000 flashes (mosaic scans) to date. You can see people "flashing" literally every second worldwide on his page. Click on the link above and have a look. It is incredible to see.
How can I find out more about the artist?
You can find him on Instagram, where he has more than 710K followers
His website, space-invaders, tells you about his projects, both old and up-and-coming
Download his app Flash Invaders, and collect points by scanning his mosaics.
Or you can read more about the top 10 ten places to find an invader here
Can I buy one?
Invader installations have become coveted items for collectors, leading to some pieces being taken from the walls where they were placed.
Lately, Invader has implemented methods to prevent the theft of his works. Since the 2010s, as his art became highly desired by collectors and theft became a genuine issue, he started selecting locations harder to access and crafting larger pieces with fragile tiles that can't be removed without damaging them.
In late 2015, while organizing another "invasion" in New York City, he sought to prevent legal issues by reaching out on social media to building owners who were willing to host his mosaics legally.
If you have a spare, $4000-$15000, you might be lucky enough to purchase one.
One called Hong Kong Phooey (HK 58) sold for US$250,000 in early 2015.
You can buy signed and unsigned screenprints, lithographs, digital prints, and rare editioned proof prints by era-defining blue chip artists here.
Art, P. F. (n.d.). Space Invader. https://www.popfineart.com/artists/space-invader/prisioners/
Instagram. (n.d.). https://www.instagram.com/invaderwashere/?hl=en
Invader – urban nation. (2021a, February 24). Urban Nation. https://urban-nation.com/artist/invader/
Invader – urban nation. (2021b, February 24). Urban Nation. https://urban-nation.com/artist/invader/#theartistbio
Invader Art for sale: Prints & Originals | MyArtBroker. (n.d.). MyArtBroker. https://www.myartbroker.com/artist-invader
Invader in Space: From street art to space art. (2024, November 5). MyArtBroker. https://www.myartbroker.com/artist-invader/articles/invader-in-space
MyArtBroker. (n.d.-a). Mosaics by Invader Background & Meaning | MyArtBroker. https://www.myartbroker.com/artist-invader/collection-mosaics
Wikipedia contributors. (2024, December 21). Invader (artist). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invader_(artist)
The top 10 places to find an invader original. (2023, October 18). MyArtBroker. https://www.myartbroker.com/artist-invader/guides/top-10-places-to-find-an-invader-originalq av
SPACE INVADER - SWINDLE Magazine. (n.d.). https://web.archive.org/web/20100727024723/http://swindlemagazine.com/issue03/space-invader-2/
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