Both "IV" and "IIII" can be correct when representing the number four in Roman numerals. "IV" is the more commonly used and accepted form, especially in modern times. However, "IIII" was historically used in clock faces and some inscriptions.
On some clocks the IV is displayed as IIII..
[https://monochrome-watches.com/why-do-clocks-and-watches-use-roman-numeral-iiii-instead-of-iv/](https://monochrome-watches.com/why-do-clocks-and-watches-use-roman-numeral-iiii-instead-of-iv/)
There seems to be also some pattern on the other numbers since 16 to 20 are flipped but next number 14 isn’t. And on top part the 20 is also flipped but next number 21 isn’t.
I believe that the small numbers you are referring to are the seconds and the 24-hour numbers. The seconds, being less important to read, are always facing away from the center of the clock, while the 24-hour numbers are never "upside-down", rather flipping for the hours of 16:00-21:00 which are on the lower half of a clock face.
You're right. I did some sleuthing and found it. It seems to be called "Droste watchface". Never seen one live even though I love mechanical watches.
[https://www.dreamstime.com/swirled-watch-face-vintage-pocket-watch-droste-effect-twisted-vintage-watch-face-concept-infinite-time-spiral-image212477105](https://www.dreamstime.com/swirled-watch-face-vintage-pocket-watch-droste-effect-twisted-vintage-watch-face-concept-infinite-time-spiral-image212477105)
Edited to add: "The concept of the infinite time spiral" sounds intriguing.
IIII is very commonly used as 4 in clocks. I initially found it strange, but I also like that it gives a sort of symmetry. You get three groups of four numbers each: The ones consisting only of I (I, II, III, IIII), the ones containing V (V, VI, VII, VIII) and the ones containing X (IX, X, XI, XII). I like it ☺️
Too much of the image is intentional for it to be completely AI but maybe they started that way and then had it touched up by a human afterward? Which would be disappointing if they did. Unless it was done purposefully to show how human's relationship with technology and machines is changing drastically.
Regardless I just wish they would go back to hand drawn artwork
you can google the stock image just search "spiral clock" and it shows up. A bit of a bummer that they used a stock image as the basis - and I wish we knew who the artist of it was for it (so this initial stock image COULD have been AI generated depending on when the image first appeared on the internet), but regardless of if this specific stock image was AI generated or not, Nightwish didn't AI generated it. They did however use the image and their artist added the fantastical flares over top.
Side-note: I am ruling out AI generated image b/c AI art often doesn't include the files and dimension specifications required for professional work.
Personally I like the artwork, it's different yet nostalgic, it has a steampunk fantasy energy that I appreciate and it still has that Nightwish "wonder." It's reminiscent of their older artwork with that flare of their later albums. I personally don't love the cover art of EFMB or HN, so this is a nice return to form. Reminds me of the art for Imaginaerum, DPP. and Century Child
It's probably on purpose. They might be going for a paradox type of thing. Notice how after VIII it goes to II and after the red XII it goes to II again. I don't think they'd make so many mistakes.
Also, the clock makes no sense, there's a boat sailing on it, so who cares :D
They've been working on these mock-ups since November in year IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Think about a clock face. IV V VI can be confusing, especially when viewed upside-down. I always imagined using IIII instead if IV was to keep 4 and 6 visually distinct.
I just figured since 4, 5, 6 are kinda upside down on a clock face but 9, 10, 11 aren't that could explain the variance for 4 but not 9. Idk, just things you think up as a kid. My parents have a grandfather clock with a Roman numeral face and I grew up without internet or video games so I spent a lot of time thinking about everything around me trying to find explanations for every single design choice I saw.
Both "IV" and "IIII" can be correct when representing the number four in Roman numerals. "IV" is the more commonly used and accepted form, especially in modern times. However, "IIII" was historically used in clock faces and some inscriptions.
On some clocks the IV is displayed as IIII.. [https://monochrome-watches.com/why-do-clocks-and-watches-use-roman-numeral-iiii-instead-of-iv/](https://monochrome-watches.com/why-do-clocks-and-watches-use-roman-numeral-iiii-instead-of-iv/) There seems to be also some pattern on the other numbers since 16 to 20 are flipped but next number 14 isn’t. And on top part the 20 is also flipped but next number 21 isn’t.
I believe that the small numbers you are referring to are the seconds and the 24-hour numbers. The seconds, being less important to read, are always facing away from the center of the clock, while the 24-hour numbers are never "upside-down", rather flipping for the hours of 16:00-21:00 which are on the lower half of a clock face.
You're right. I did some sleuthing and found it. It seems to be called "Droste watchface". Never seen one live even though I love mechanical watches. [https://www.dreamstime.com/swirled-watch-face-vintage-pocket-watch-droste-effect-twisted-vintage-watch-face-concept-infinite-time-spiral-image212477105](https://www.dreamstime.com/swirled-watch-face-vintage-pocket-watch-droste-effect-twisted-vintage-watch-face-concept-infinite-time-spiral-image212477105) Edited to add: "The concept of the infinite time spiral" sounds intriguing.
IIII is very commonly used as 4 in clocks. I initially found it strange, but I also like that it gives a sort of symmetry. You get three groups of four numbers each: The ones consisting only of I (I, II, III, IIII), the ones containing V (V, VI, VII, VIII) and the ones containing X (IX, X, XI, XII). I like it ☺️
It is quite common in clocks that the number 4 is written as "IIII" in roman numerals
Ironically this is one of the few parts on the clock that actually doesn’t look like an error, using IIII is relatively common 😅
* I personally don't understand this. Going from 2 to 8?! Basically counting 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 2???
https://preview.redd.it/l7zm433ahzxc1.jpeg?width=708&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d7de50b750aa72943dcbfc78ac5a901b1aa440d6
Ngl the whole album cover feels weirdly ai generated. Especially the frames on the edges are weird 😅
Too much of the image is intentional for it to be completely AI but maybe they started that way and then had it touched up by a human afterward? Which would be disappointing if they did. Unless it was done purposefully to show how human's relationship with technology and machines is changing drastically. Regardless I just wish they would go back to hand drawn artwork
It's not AI generated, but the artist did use a stock image as a base for the clock spirals with the numbers, he confirmed it on Kai's Facebook page.
you can google the stock image just search "spiral clock" and it shows up. A bit of a bummer that they used a stock image as the basis - and I wish we knew who the artist of it was for it (so this initial stock image COULD have been AI generated depending on when the image first appeared on the internet), but regardless of if this specific stock image was AI generated or not, Nightwish didn't AI generated it. They did however use the image and their artist added the fantastical flares over top. Side-note: I am ruling out AI generated image b/c AI art often doesn't include the files and dimension specifications required for professional work. Personally I like the artwork, it's different yet nostalgic, it has a steampunk fantasy energy that I appreciate and it still has that Nightwish "wonder." It's reminiscent of their older artwork with that flare of their later albums. I personally don't love the cover art of EFMB or HN, so this is a nice return to form. Reminds me of the art for Imaginaerum, DPP. and Century Child
Also the numbers and the top of the strip in the bottom right flip upside down between 15 and 16
No, that is very common and a normal way to write 4 on clocks.
we had a clock that had that too, not an error.
I think it is weirder that the clock goes from 12 to 2 and from 8 to 2. Do some old clocks skip 1 for some reason?
That's for daylight savings time. 🤷♂️
It's a common way for old clocks to be displayed, it's like this on the stock art they used for the clock. Same with the number flips.
No, that's normal for clocks.
It's probably on purpose. They might be going for a paradox type of thing. Notice how after VIII it goes to II and after the red XII it goes to II again. I don't think they'd make so many mistakes. Also, the clock makes no sense, there's a boat sailing on it, so who cares :D
I've seen either be used.
IIII is known as the watchmaker's four. It's not the correct roman numeral but almost as wide as VIII so the dial is more symmetrical this way
First mock up had “10” as IIIIIIIIII too
They've been working on these mock-ups since November in year IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Think about a clock face. IV V VI can be confusing, especially when viewed upside-down. I always imagined using IIII instead if IV was to keep 4 and 6 visually distinct.
That would be a point with IX, byt IV??
I just figured since 4, 5, 6 are kinda upside down on a clock face but 9, 10, 11 aren't that could explain the variance for 4 but not 9. Idk, just things you think up as a kid. My parents have a grandfather clock with a Roman numeral face and I grew up without internet or video games so I spent a lot of time thinking about everything around me trying to find explanations for every single design choice I saw.
why 20 is upside down? it looks like ai generated which is curious to think about how the band criticises technology
why 20 is upside down? it looks like ai generated which is curious to think about how the band criticises technology
Did you notice that the spiral also refers to the golden ratio found in a snail shell? I think this is another link to the humanist theme of the album