"Galactic Man" 2007 Mixed Media on Canvas 48X34 inches. Juan D. Estrada As a child growing up in the 1970s, I was captivated by the pervasive notion of a futuristic space-age world awaiting us by the turn of the millennium. Films depicting flying cars and bustling colonies on distant planets adorned theater screens and late-night television alike. However, as I matured, it became evident that technological advancement was rapidly outpacing our visions. The transition from pagers to handheld cellular devices was swift, while computers evolved from cumbersome behemoths to sleek wristwatch-sized marvels. Despite these leaps, urban landscapes remained largely unchanged, overshadowed by persistent cultural and political challenges. I observed a disheartening trend: as information became more accessible, the collective drive for innovation seemed to wane. Once vibrant forms of entertainment like movies and music began to homogenize, losing their distinctiveness and vitality. In th...
