Turn of the Century

This guy at worked hipped me to a cool site Latin-American design site. They have a good eye for interesting design.

Colectiva.tv

And then Colectiva hipped me to the work of Alvvino, who does a really excellent turn-of-the-century surrealism.

a work by alvvino

It got me thinking, a propos of nothing in particular, about our past century. When will “turn-of-the-century” come to connote 2000 rather than 1900? Maybe 2000 gets to be “turn-of-the-millennium” and we can get another 100 years out of “turn-of-the-century”.

When you look back on the rapid-fire changes of the 20th century, it’s hard to imagine what the turn of the next century could possibly look like. The quickening, accelerated culture, koyaanisqatsi — whatever you want to call it — it’s sure to be substantial. Just as it would assuredly be difficult for a turn-of-the-century person to parse 21st Century Life, how hard would be for the millennial to understand what’s going on in 2100, should he end of there by virtue of time-travel, cryogenics or clairvoyant vision.

Is it possible that mores and reality will change so much that it would be unnavigable for one of our peers? Most likely not, as language does not completely transform that quickly and certain innate qualities exist throughout the continuity of mankind. We could communicate with our turn-of-the-century forebears. But to imagine what they would make of electric cars and 747s and instant communication between any two parties.