ENVISIONING THE FUTURE
October 1, 2023
While researching the culture & fashion of previous decades, I came across an imaginative series of artworks commissioned by a German business some time ago. In 1930, the Echte Wagner Margarine company challenged its artists to develop visions of what the future could look like and to subsequently create visual depictions of their concepts. Of course, some of their ideas have yet to come to fruition, but other ideas were right on the mark. There was a painting of a near-flat, V-shaped plane that looked like a 1950s bomber or like the more recent stealth bomber shape. Another artist drew a sleek and elevated passenger train that draws comparisons to some of the efficient train systems in Europe. From creatives such as Leonardo DaVinci to Jules Verne, artists have a history of envisioning potential aspects of the future through their imagination and inquisitiveness.
A few weeks ago I perused an article stating how some prospective art students had decided against pursuing a career in art because of the increasing competition & job displacement they face from generative artificial intelligence. While I can't speak to those students' specific financial situations or future goals, I will say that true artists can't deny their nature. Whether art remains only a hobby for you or whether it eventually becomes an integral part of your other main career, it's bound to manifest itself in some way in your life. When that time does come, be true to yourself and allow that creative expression to flourish and blossom.
There are no formulas in this post here today. No mathematical or technical expressions. This is simply a reminder of how important creatives can be to society. And although I'm far from being an objective observer as an artist myself, I'll contend that artists are needed now more than ever. And to my fellow artists out there, I'll say this: We are the future.