WELCOME

2009

Zbrush, Digital Photography, and Photoshop

Commissioned by the Houston Museum of Natural Sciences for permanent and traveling exhibitions.

Human evolution is very often described in metaphor as a bush or a tree. Here we see just that. A literal phylogenetic tree nestled high above the earth grows wildly reaching for the sky. It illustrates the complex diversity that has branched out over the millennia to create cast of characters who have come and gone through out our cosmic journey on this watery rock.

Living foliage resting behind their portraits represents the present day survivors of a dramatic 65 million year genetic struggle. The extinct linages are shown with dead end braches with no were lift to go. The tree arches and braches out several times before we finally get to us – Homo sapiens. The four major global ethnicities merge into one in the center of the image surrounded by flowering Cherry Blossoms signify the “youth” and naivety of our species.

Beyond us? The moon would seem like the most likely places for humans to use as the springboard into space. Careful observation will reveal to you the growing stages of tomorrow. For now human evolution on earth is at a physical standstill. The fight to survive is now based on the competition of thought and resources. Computers allow us to extend our minds beyond what we have been physically granted. As the singularity of biology and technology approaches, the importance of a physical evolution may not even rely on flesh and bone. Why wait generations to adapt when we can build the body you need today. Perhaps, in form we are now, we truly are THE last humans.

Perhaps, we have to adapt our understanding of what it means to be human.