UFOS AND ART Inside Story of Real-Life Sightings. One of the most puzzling aspects of the UFO phenomenon is the almost bewildering variety of shapes and sizes reported. The files show that although a few photographs of alleged UFOs were taken, witnesses seldom had a camera or camcorder to hand when something in the sky caught their eye. As a result, the majority of the UK UFO reports rely on words and, occasionally, drawings or even paintings of what was seen. It is these that are the focus of Dr Clarke’s new study. Regardless of one’s attitude to “flying saucers” and their possible origin, this 127-page hardback book provides many fascinating insights into the phenomenon from its well-informed author as well as impressive attempts by witnesses to use artistic skills to produce a permanent record that captures the mystery and majesty of what they witnessed. n
The National Archives DEFE24-1999
UFOS AND ART
AERIAL VISITOR AT SCHOOL NAMED ARIEL ONE OF the most remarkable UFO close encounters with multiple witnesses occurred at a Zimbabwe school in 1994. More than 60 pupils and some of the teaching staff at the Ariel primary school in Ruwa reported seeing a disc-shaped object land close by during the morning break.
Ariel Phenomenon documentary poster
They also saw two small creatures, one of which was said to have approached the children. A BBC reporter, Tim Leech, was the first to investigate the report, just days after the event, and he alerted Dr John Mack, the American professor investigating close encounters (see Page 31). Two months later, the Harvard psychiatrist arrived in Zimbabwe, spending six days at the school talking with the children and staff, and asking the witnesses to draw what they had seen. These interviews were filmed. Now, a documentary based on the encounter, titled Ariel Phenomenon, made with the co-operation of the John E. Mack Institute, is nearing completion. Remarkably, film maker Randy Nickerson of String Theory Films, was able to track down many of the children more than a decade after the event. His interviews with them as adults are combined with remastered betacam film of their original interviews made by Dr Mack. Nickerson is looking for funding to complete the documentary, after eight years of investigative journalism. A promotional video for the groundbreaking film features Ghostbusters actor Dan Aykroyd and can be viewed at arielphenomenon.com/fundraising-2. n
This article is part of a 9-page UFO feature