How it all began…..

Sometime in the fall of 2028, with The United States of America’s third consecutive presidential term on their mind, the creative intellects and scholars of France and Germany held a secret meeting in the basement of the Louvre Museum. Despite the abundance of Bordeaux and Dopplebocks, everyone in attendance knew the seriousness of the matter at hand and it was reflected in a slight chill that filled the room. The first one to speak was an accomplished author of nearly seventy sci-fi fantasy novels published across the globe. She stood and silenced the room, “Good morning my friends. I think we all know why we are here together and we mustn’t waste time with meaningless banter. The future of this world as we know it is in jeopardy. We must take action now!” Much the room pounded on tables while the others sighed and grumbled. “Everyone on this planet has lost their f*%#’n mind!” shouted an older woman- a sculptor. She continued, “We watched with frustration as information spread rapidly without any sources, intertwined with memes and reels. Scientific research was deleted, entire libraries set on fire, and education became inaccessible without million dollar bribes. Steadily, the influence of the most idiotic political movement spread across oceans, fixed elections and bought dictators. We cannot leave this basement without a plan.” Many conversations overlapped as painters shared ideas with architects and actors with muralists. Most of the filmmakers in attendance were granted permission to document the meeting for their personal projects and so they mostly observed without much interjection. After a couple hours had passed, the author spoke up again, “I may have a way for us to escape this world and take our art with us. I’m afraid, though, you won’t believe what I have to present.” In chorus, the room begged her to continue. She stood up from the table and asked for everyone to listen carefully. “As you know I have been writing stories nearly my entire life that often address potential situations such as this. I have done extensive research on scientific theories related to life on other planets and how we may inhabit those in case of an apocalyptic event.” The room froze and the sculptor whispered, “Are you saying what I think you are? Have you found a planet for us?”

The creative scholars accepted the challenge of inhabiting a new planet to escape Earth and recruited artists from all over the globe. Hundreds of thousands of independent thinkers went to work to build a world that could thrive. They brought with them cultures and traditions from every country but approached structure very differently. There were only a few “rules” to keep art from becoming obsolete. 1. Artificial Intelligence was not allowed in any form. The thinking was that if you don’t use your mind to problem solve and create -it will die and we will die with it. 2. There are no “rules” for creating. You won’t see two of the same flying objects and each one will be built by hand. The planet is filled with colors and materials working in harmony to keep us stimulated. 3. Language will be both verbal and nonverbal. Beings on the new planet communicate intuitively through imagery. Feelings and thoughts are expressed through color, mark-making and composition - almost like making a map of a thought. This new world is growing and changing and filled with hope and excitement! Art is back.