What kind of art do the code-punching computer geniuses over at Google
like? How about... art based on Google products? To decorate their new Geo headquarters housing the teams behind Google Earth and Google
Maps, the company invited in the work of painter Ben Joyce, who
makes semi-abstract compositions inspired by the wondrous geography of
Google Earth.

The 32-year-old Joyce has been working in this vein for a while and has
an entire theory of what he does as "topographic art." It has proved to be a good
marketing gimmick: A Google executive spotted Joyce's art at the 2010 Sausalito Art
Festival, was captivated by his mixed-media creations, and suggested
that he show at the search company's plush offices in Mountain View.

View Slideshow: Abstract Topographic Paintings Put an Artist on Google's Map

The resulting show, titled "Abstract Topophilia," opened January 27th
and features, among other things, two 50 x 98 inch paintings — "Bay Area
Day" and "Bay Area Night" — representing climate patterns in the area.
The works are for sale, so if the Googlers don't get their fill of
looking at maps at work, they can take them home, too. 

Click on the slide show at the left for images of "Abstract Topophilia."