Flight to the stars vs. coming to grips with Gaia: The Earthbound Utopian Fantasy of a Cultural Feminist | Annette M Schneider

Summary: Changing the Climate: Utopia, Dystopia and Catastrophe | Annette M Schneider As a child I avidly read science-fiction books. Inspired by the Space Race, they explored unlimited horizons. Authors like Frank Herbert also explored ecology and anthropomorphism. Relationships between Earth inhabitants is a primary focus in fiction. Ecological dystopian books can act as a wakeup call: we are not alone; look what might happen! DNA/genetic engineering developments are criticised for ‘undermining the distinction between humans and animals’. What distinction? Australian scientist, Gisela Kaplan, studies the communications and intelligence of other animals. In this paper, I will discuss these changes in scientific viewpoint and how they affect my art. Annette Schneider is the author/illustrator of Mobile Magic (2010). She has been a professional artist/graphic designer for 30 years. Her qualifications are as eclectic as her art: painting, sculpture, textiles, hot glass, ceramics, jewellery, mask-making gastronomy, film studies, animation, farming, teaching and the history and philosophy of science