A series of clay dioramas that show human life in three different time periods: the industrial revolution, the modern day and in a post-labor utopian future.
Patricia Wier
Description
The chief purpose of my project is to present my idea of a utopian future in which robots do all work. It explores what could drive humans without work. Also, it explores what humans do with their time in three different time periods: the industrial revolution, the modern-day, and in this utopian future. The time periods are presented to help the audience better understand the stark differences between them and the potential for the future. Many dramatic things were happening in regards to labor during the industrial revolution, including machines replacing humans to some degree. My utopian idea is addressing the common perception that machinery taking over jobs is a bad thing and it challenges pessimistic views of the future.
I chose the diorama form because these kinds of ideas are, in my experience, usually presented in written form. Presenting this project in diorama form speaks to an audience in a different way. A diorama is a more concrete, immersive, and clear presentation of my idea. Although similar ideas to mine exist, my idea is in a new form and puts certain issues such as humans’ new purpose at the forefront. The diorama form was cemented in museums soon after the industrial revolution so that adds to my longing to include that time period. I would like people to have a more optimistic view of the future and understand several ways in which machines can continue to improve our lives.