Bringing Metropolis to Life: A Cinematic Icon Reimagined in Silkscreen

Fritz Lang's 1927 science-fiction masterpiece, Metropolis, is renowned for its groundbreaking visuals and enduring themes. Metropolis set the blueprint for countless works of art, literature and film from its towering skyscrapers and flying cars, futuristic anxieties about technological advancements, and the sociological conflict between the ruling elite and the oppressed workers. Metropolis remains as relevant today as in 1927.

In collaboration with La Boca and Dark City Gallery, we had the privilege of translating the film's iconic imagery into a UK quad-size, hand-printed silkscreen poster—celebrating the film's bold design and lasting influence.

The Artwork & Print Editions

The Metropolis poster was silkscreen printed at White Duck Editions in three striking colourways: Orange, Silver, and Silver & Gold, each in a limited edition of 50. For the Orange edition, in particular, La Boca drew inspiration from the bold colour choices of British ceramicist Clarice Cliff's, whose vibrant, Art Deco and Fauvist-inspired ceramic designs resonate with the film's distinctive visual imagery and set design, bringing together a blend of Deco futurism and early 20th-century avant-garde influences.

La Boca's design captures one of the film's most pivotal moments: the creation of the 'False Maria', where the scientist Rotwang, under orders from the city's ruler, Joh Fredersen, transforms a robot into the exact likeness of the 'Real Maria', the film's compassionate protagonist. Fredersen's goal is to use this mechanical duplicate to incite chaos among the workers and suppress rebellion, which leads to one of the film's central conflicts—the battle between truth and deception.

With their precisely crafted composition, La Boca captures this pivotal transformation, where one side of the image portrays the 'Real' Maria, and the other, the 'False' Maria—referred to as 'Maschinenmensch' in German, literally meaning 'Machine Person.' This split-image design effectively visualises the film's central themes of duality and deception.

The bold, limited colour palette—orange, black, and metallic silver and gold—enhances the film's fusion of Art Deco grandeur, German Expressionist intensity, and futurist ambition. As previously mentioned, the choice of orange in this edition draws direct inspiration from Clarice Cliff's expressive approach, predominantly her Bizarre Ware range, which embraced striking contrasts and pronounced modernist patterns.

This connection reflects Metropolis's distinctive aesthetic, where Deco futurism meets the angular dynamism of early 20th-century avant-garde movements. Just as Cliff's work redefined British ceramic design, La Boca's reinterpretation of Metropolis pays homage to a cinematic vision that shaped the visual language of science fiction and beyond.

The Challenge of Scaling Up

Having previously worked with La Boca and Dark City Gallery on their celebrated 2017 Metropolis edition, we were challenged to revisit that artwork, reimagined as a UK quad (30" x 40"). This was no small task, as at the time, our studio and print equipment were not set up to print at that scale, meaning we had to adapt our processes significantly.

One of the biggest hurdles was sourcing suitable paper, which led to us having sheets specially manufactured at the required dimensions, weight, and finish. Rising to the challenge, we succeeded—and as a result, we can now confidently produce UK quad-sized silkscreen prints. 

Celebrating Metropolis

Whilst it received criticism upon its initial release, Metropolis has endured thanks to its ability to convey complex themes through groundbreaking visual storytelling. Its inherent anxieties about technology, artificial intelligence, and class struggle continue to resonate today. The film's pioneering special effects—achieved through innovative lighting, double exposures, and animation—laid the groundwork for generations of art, literature and cinema. 

Through this collaboration with La Boca and Dark City Gallery, we enjoyed honouring Metropolis's groundbreaking artistry by bringing its visual language to life through the tactile and highly crafted medium of silkscreen printing. Each print is a handmade piece of art, meticulously produced to reflect the same dedication that went into the film's elaborate sets and intricate designs.

From Metropolis's influence on science fiction to its impact on graphic art, this project is a tribute to one of cinema's most visually ambitious films. Working with La Boca and Dark City Gallery has, as always, been a hugely rewarding experience, and we're proud to have contributed to celebrating this cinematic icon through the art of silkscreen printing.

All three Metropolis Quad Poster editions are available to buy now at Dark City Gallery.

La Boca: Metropolis Quad Poster (Orange)
Hand-signed & numbered 
Silkscreen Limited Edition of 50
£120.00

La Boca: Metropolis Quad Poster (Silver)
Hand-signed & numbered 
Silkscreen Limited Edition of 50
£120.00

La Boca: Metropolis Quad Poster (Silver)
Hand-signed & numbered 
Silkscreen Limited Edition of 50
£120.00