# Utopian Island Paintings The 'Provisional Futures' Collection Depicts Utopian Island Structures By Rahul Kalvapalle | Published 2014-03-29 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/provisional-future References: [theglobeandmail](http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/art-and-architecture/mixing-the-urban-and-the-utopian-the-otherworldly-art-of-tristram-lansdowne/article17634207/?page=1) & [kwag](http://www.kwag.ca/en/exhibitions/ProvisionalFutures.asp) Artist Tristram Lansdowne's 'Provisional Futures' exhibition is a collection of paintings that depict island-like utopias set in the distant future. In a time when population increase, climate change and the depletion of natural resources is prompting dark themes amongst artists, Lansdowne takes a different approach by harnessing the shapes of [modernist architecture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/folding-landscape) to imagine how humans, flora and fauna might co-exist without being detrimental to each other. The 'Provisional Futures' collection features several of the [floating islands](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/soundscape-1) that have become a trademark of Lansdowne's work. Creations such as glass domes and concrete platforms mingle with mountains and cliffs. Lansdowne says he uses islands to contain his [utopian visions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/after-utopia) because islands represent a closed-off environment where "you can set up a batch of variables and allow them to play out, which is kind of the utopian premise." ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.0/10 - Popularity: 38% | Activity: 13% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Utopian Island Art:** The 'Provisional Futures' collection depicts island structures that represent an optimistic future where humans, flora, and fauna coexist in harmony. - **Modernist Architecture in Art:** By harnessing the shapes of modernist architecture, Tristram Lansdowne imagines a futuristic world where humans and nature seamlessly communicate. - **Closed-off Environment Art:** Lansdowne's use of islands as a closed-off environment to contain his utopian visions offers a unique approach to envision a better future. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Fine Art:** There is a potential for artists to utilize utopian and optimistic themes in their artwork to provide a refreshing take on current societal and environmental issues. - **Architecture and Design:** Architecture and design firms could draw inspiration from the futuristic structures depicted in the 'Provisional Futures' collection to develop sustainable structures for the future. - **Environmental Conservation:** The 'Provisional Futures' collection provides a new way of thinking about how human activities and nature can coexist, sparking innovative solutions for the conservation of the environment. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Apocalypse Post Pandemic Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/contemporary-urban-art.md) - [Floating City Networks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/justinian-khoo.md) - [Abstract Fantasy Home Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/abstract-fantasy-home.md) - [Future-Facing Sculptural Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/eye-of-the-future.md) - [Otherwordly Art Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/william-monk.md) - [Orb Lighting Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mangrove-island.md) - [Interactive Marine Ecosystem Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/marine-ecosystem-sculptures.md) - [Sculptural Mall Dreamscape](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/unbounded-sanctuary.md) - [Sustainable Futures Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/planet-city.md)