Imagined future cities, as seen at night, from space
“Art is always ahead of its time because the artist has the intuition to feel the future”
– Neil Musson, Artist
– Neil Musson, Artist
What might cities of the future look like from Space?
How might technological developments in infrastructure and energy sources shape how they look, feel and are lived in?
How might cultural, spiritual, social, economic, environmental and political factors influence their development?
City: Vegasol (formerly Las Vegas)
Energy source: solar History: Known as Las Vegas through the early part of the 21st Century, the city shifted its focus away from a global gambling hub to a city harnessing the power of the sun. After the global energy drought of 2032 Vegasol is now the largest exporter of solar renewable energy across the world. |
City: Indigenius
Energy source: all renewable and regenerative resources History: After centuries of persecution Indigenous communities paved the way for the world to respond to the 2020 climate crisis with teachings and a focus on natural systems and new forms of economic work fit for the 21st Century. They led the way for the alternative smart city: one where regeneration rules and people live in harmony with the land and the planet. |
City: Polaris, North Pole
Energy source: Wind and Oil History: After decades of ‘hard power’ politics and military might to stake territorial claims to the arctic, Polaris - a ‘soft power’ collaboration between Denmark and Russia - was born in 2075. Polaris is built on the sea bed and floats above the ice caps - meaning it works in harmony with local climate conditions and is accessible all year round. Emerging research in the latter part of the 21st Century around the healing power of the North and South Poles have placed Polaris as a destination healing retreat for artists and the wealthy. |
City: Londoniam (formerly London)
Energy source: nuclear, natural gas and fossil fuels History: Political challenges meant Londoniam failed to adequately protect itself from rising sea levels and the Tsunami of 2045 that wreaked havoc across most of Central and East London. Wind farms, marshland and slums now occupy inner London, while the suburban hubs have become the focus for economic activity. |
City: San Jobio, Costa Rica (formerly San Jose)
Energy source: bioluminescence History: Working with the world-leading bioluminescence lab at Golfo Dulce on the Costa Rica coast, San Jobio is dedicated to nature: in 2028 it designated itself the worlds first ‘dark city’ - where nocturnal animals roam free and tourists come to marvel at the incredible Universe above. Everything, from street lighting, pavements, city transport and even clothing has been created with bioluminescent properties. |
City: Akingdom, Senegal
Energy source: Solar History: The dream of R&B singer Akon: in the early 21st Century Akon raised Billions of Dollars of investment from a global stage to realise his vision in creating a shining example of 21st Century development in Africa. Leapfrog technologies have made this smart city a shining beacon of Africa, blending a heady mix of prosperous economic growth with spiritual, cultural and tribal considerations. |
Background
Future City Worlds : 2100 shows 6 cities of the future: 3 exist now: London (Londoniam), Las Vegas (Vegasol) and San Jose (San Jobio), and 3 potential future cities that may be thriving in 2100 (Polaris, Akingdom and Indigenius).
Each city is based on how I foresee culture, technology, energy systems, infrastructure, social, political, economic and environmental considerations may impact how and where we live in the future.
The paintings reference my existing ‘Cities from Space at night’ paintings and are inspired by my conversations with Artist Neil Musson
(quoted above) as part of the New Platform Art Lab.
Open studio
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