I am officially back among the technologically connected!  While we were camping in Glacier National Park and Yellowstone, we made the decision to be completely unplugged– not much cell service or wifi to be had in most spots anyway.  But it was a bit disheartening to see families and couples who, while surrounded by what is arguably some of the most beautiful scenery on earth, tapped away on their iPhones and Droids.    The illustration and collage work of artist Natalie Nicklin confronts us with the imaginary worlds taken over by technology imagined in our past.  Sometimes it feels like they actually came to be, doesn’t it?

The artist calls these worlds “technopias” and perhaps they consist of the flying cars, etc., that were being imagined during the birth of the technological age.  People in the 1950s and 60s imagined that we would be living like George Jetson by now.  But are we really that far off?

Nicklin uses geometrics to illustrate a hard-edged technology driven society yet juxtaposes them against a flesh-colored palette.

Found vintage imagery reminds us of how far we’ve come and the inclusion of figures, usually female, seem act as a hint that no matter how much we advance in technology, the human element will always be the most important and intriguing.

To see more of Natalie Nicklin’s work, please visit her page at Cargo Collective.

Artist found via isavirtue.  All images are via the artist’s website.