Samantha Spritzer-350S

Preliminary Sketches: Proposal:             As far as influential genres for me, space opera has got to be at the top of the list, so of course it is my inspiration for this project. I have chosen to go for a more positive take on the future, something if not quite utopian then certainly optimistic. A big part of the space opera genre is the idea of exploring, naturally, space. Galactic-scale conflict is common but not something I’m going to explore here. My main focus is inspired particularly by Star Trek (both series and films) and Mass Effect, mostly for the design. I have one concept that is more of a spectator, at something of a space port or Starfleet Academy equivalent. However, it is the onboard ship ideas that call to me a bit more. I like to think that if something like Starfleet or the Systems Alliance existed, I would be a lot more likely to see them in my future. The idea of exploring and seeing new places far aw...

            “The Machine Stops” is definitely an oddly timeless piece, given that it was written over a hundred years ago and yet the themes it presents have been popular for the past few decades. The idea of a sort of dystopian world, both as far as the planet goes and how people interact with each other is definitely a common subject nowadays. Of course, the people in this story, for the most part (Kuno is really the exception we see) would not likely think that their isolated worlds as such were not an ideal place or way to live. And as the story goes on, when we learn that seeing or interacting with people face to face is almost disgusting to most, I cannot help but think it is one of the most unrealistic parts of the piece. Humans are social creatures, and even introverts like to spend some time with other people, and it does not seem all that realistic that we could become so comfortable without seeing others on a regular bas...

1. How and why have our perceptions of what the future might be changed? 2. How might climate change itself change our ideas of what the future could be?

Reaching This sculpture is meant to represent that, in a consumerist society, power and wealth are often held by very few people. Many others less fortunate strive to get a piece of it, often without real results or change. The consumerist, capitalist society we live in often feels like a great embodiment of inequality. With so much money held by so few, it seems like those with can lord it over everyone else, with no care for what that does and how everyone else lives. For a lot of people, the idea of the classic American Dream, where if you just work hard enough you can make it to the top, has become something that seems utterly unrealistic today. This doesn't stop many of the rich from dangling it still in front of them whilst simultaneously making sure things stay the same behind the scenes. Also I feel like this iconic meme does a great job of showing that:

1. Given that this article is now over a decade old, has the world changed much? If so, how? If not, will it ever? 2. How can we, as individuals, work against the negative effects of consumerism?

My work takes inspiration from stories I’ve read, seen, and written. I’m interested especially in fantasy and science-fiction genres, which thus are incorporated into much of my work. Combining the two, as well, is something I am also working towards. I create a number of character designs and am working towards creating more environmental pieces as well. I believe in taking inspiration from almost anything and frequently am inspired by video games especially.