There is a small island off the west coast of the United States that has an interesting past. The island was grown synthetically as a result of a Department of Defence research project that started in 1962. Parts of the island are apparently still growing in beautiful fractal patterns beneath the surface. You could put on some diving tanks and check it out for yourself, if anyone knew where the island was located. The island has been scrubbed from satellite photography as well as geographical charts and maps, and a sensor suite warns approaching ships away by radio long before they come within sight of it.
In October 2003, a survey group from a coastal survey ship, riding in a small boat with no radio, landed on the island to have a look around. Three of the four men on the boat just...disappeared. Nobody's sure what happened to them. The fourth man, the junior of the group, survived, having returned to his ship alone and quite frightened. He left his surveying position in 2004 and has written about his experiences from time to time.
I have access to this survivor's journal, and a particular sketch of his has intrigued me ever since I first saw it. I knew I had to recreate the horrible mood in 3D as soon as I saw the sketch.
OK, not really. In fact, there is no island. But I do like the way this image turned out - it does tell a story.
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