#AUfuture

[joshcontextualstudies]

Modernity essay Utopia/Dystopia

The concept I chose is Utopia and Dystopia, which are two opposite concepts that started off as literary forms. The term ‘Utopia’ refers to “the imaginary world that is completely idyllic, where all people live in harmony.” (Doan, 2020) It’s a term coined in 1516 by British writer Thomas More in his book ‘Utopia.’ For a utopian setting, authors would usually imagine and portray the perfect society. On the other hand, Dystopian society “is all about pessimism and often warns us about the potential drifts of an ideology of a situation.” This concept is used to “show our need to understand the world we live in.” While this theme can be portrayed fictionally, it also invites people to reflect on our current state of reality, seeing as research on its nature “has long since served as a form of critical reflection on contemporary society.” (Mugnier, n.d) The word ‘utopia’ comes from the Greek words ‘ou’ meaning ‘no’ or ‘not’ and ‘topos’ meaning ‘place. ‘ (Lowry, n.d) Both utopia and dystopia share science fiction and fantasy characteristics which are set in a futuristic environment where technology is used to “create perfect living conditions.” In novels with this concept, they don’t focus on this factor, instead, they focus on “the psychology of its effects, the emotions of the characters who live under such conditions.” 

Utopia and Dystopia are believed to be a “product of modernity” as it “has always always been hinged upon an assessment as to whether humanity would be able to fulfil the promise of socio-economic, political and techno-scientific progress.” (Vieira, 2020) Since modernity is linked to the “exponential growth of the human population.” According to Vieria, utopians would wish to “escape from the worst anxieties surrounding overpopulation” as it would “reinforce their belief in the promise of modernity.” 

The topic of Utopia/Dystopia interests me because I am familiar with this topic outside of illustration as well. Cyberpunk 2077 is an example that I know of and enjoy. It portrays a dystopian world that is disguised in a utopian vision. Experiencing this video game helps my visual understanding of the concept and its ambience. It fully portrays their duality as well as technological development. It shows how it may reflect today’s society which includes the advances in health care, education and transportation however these advances lead to corruption in the dystopia conveyed in the games. Additionally, an artist on this concept is Hieronymus Bosch, who painted ‘The Garden of Earthly Delights.’ painted between 1503 to 1515. It’s a triptych painting with each panel representing ‘The Garden of Eden,’ (utopia) ‘Hell’ (dystopia) and the “flux between the two.” (Heller, n.d) I am taking inspiration from this concept for my project to visualise utopia and dystopia, the change it causes and the duality between them. 

Bibliography:

Doan, N (2020) ‘Utopia and dystopia - Bac d’anglais de specialite’, Aufutur, Available at: Utopia and dystopia - Bac d'anglais de spécialité - AuFutur

Heller, D (n.d) ‘Dystopia Utopia duality’ artgreeT, Available at: Dystopia Utopia duality – artgreeT

Mugnier, P (n.d) ‘Utopia and Dystopia as Critical Representations of Reality, Humanities and Arts and Society,’ Available at: Utopia and Dystopia as Critical Representations of Reality – Humanities, Arts and Society (humanitiesartsandsociety.org)

Vieira, P (2020) ‘Utopia and dystopia in the age of the Anthropocene’, esbocos, Available at: Utopia and dystopia in the age of the Anthropocene (redalyc.org)

[melania-raquelaleksandrawilliams]

Don’t Call Me Grandma || 2042

Ophelia: [locked in the bathroom getting violently ill]

Melanie: [knocking on the door] You okay in there? [turns to @astorybycaesar ] You don’t think her eating disorder is back do you? She ate so much at dinner and now this.

[rebeccacady]

emmalie | au | 2044

That’s..uh..that’s fair that you feel that way but I’m..I’m gonna have to respectfully disagree. 

[thecodiesimmons]

au | maria | future

Dude! You’re sitting on my phone!

[shannon-case]

the better half of the cases | au

holly: how in the hell did math get more complicated?

gracie: that’s what i said but the teacher said math is math! wait. [takes her worksheet from her sister and holds it out] what do you think? 

[readingisfuniwithmatthew]

Future Masterlist since they reproduce like rabbits and we are hella forgetful

Matthew Russell Stark Jr. - Father - FC: Cole Sprouse/ Sebastian Stan

Tabitha Ashley Meyer/Stark - Mother- FCs: Lili Reinhart/Amber Heard

Matthew Russell Stark III - Eldest Son/Child-FC: Wyatt Nash

Esme Matilda Stark - Eldest Daughter - FC: Gigi Hadid

Joseph Anthony Stark - Middle Child/ Son- FC: Hart Denton

Cecelia Grace Stark - Youngest Daughter - FC: Odeya Rush

Thomas Zachary Stark - Youngest Son/Child- FC: Austin Abrams

[marisol-rodriguez]

Mischief Not Managed ||

[Isabel walks into the Stark House like she lives there and calls for Joey] Joey! Guess who finally rode in a cop car!

@tabithameyer

[cady-ryan]

“And I hold my favorite thing I hold the love that you bring But it feels like I’ve opened my eyes again And the colors are golden and bright again There’s a song in my heart, I feel like I belong It’s a better place since you came along”

cady family (1/?)

[readingisfuniwithmatthew]

@tabithameyer

[flynn-lawes]

[rowannnn]

2021 || visits

[having been told she has a visitor, she rises from her bed, still worn out and sore from her ordeal a week or so ago. she goes over to the entrance to visitors hall and holds out her hands to be uncuffed, and waits to be patted down before she’s allowed through, and goes to sit down at the table she’s been told to do, although when she sees who is sat opposite, she stops dead in her tracks, staring at her, and staring at the bundle in her arms, before slowly sinking down into her seat].....how did you get...

@riaserrell

[slowlyburningnico]

Family and Stuff || Becca and Nico

Can I hide with you from the wedding preparations? [holding Gabriella]

@thebeccalittle

[melania-raquelaleksandrawilliams]

F is for Friendship || Zach and Ophelia

[lying back on her bed after her Mom took her to the doctors, scanning through a magazine]

@henry-lafayette

[rebeccacady]

@rebeccacady: my truest love and eli’s twin 😍🌸❤ 

[shannon-case]

flamingo + their bbies |*\

Holly: [busy kicking off as her mum tries to wrestle her into a car seat, screeching and kicking, thrashing her arms in fury, the dress she’d been forced into getting crumpled] I don’t want to go and see Granny Norah! I don’t wanna! You can’t make me!

Shannon: [finally manages just to get her strapped in, and pulls back, quipping triumphantly before she closes the door on her screeching daughter] Oh yes I bloody well can. [turns away from the door a moment to wink at her husband] Your gene, that.

@danny-case

[readingisfuniwithmatthew]

Cecelia || 2036

[walking through town quickly, on the verge of crying hysterically] Somebody please help me, I’m in danger.