Star Trek The Next Generation 

Editor: Here we have Don Ivan Punchatz’s painting, Star Trek: The Next Generation. There's something very serene about this, even though it's a spaceship in the middle of nowhere. The dark backdrop really makes the Enterprise pop. What's your take? Curator: Serene is a fascinating choice of word, because on the one hand it feels right: that deep space vibe! And then again, this image represents a whole history of daring exploration, complex social narratives, all painted with such deliberate, dare I say optimistic brushstrokes? I’m particularly struck by how Punchatz, primarily an illustrator, elevates what could be simple sci-fi into something almost mythic. Editor: Mythic, that’s interesting. Because when I look at this, I just see, you know, a really cool spaceship. But mythic… Why do you say that? Curator: Well, think about it. It’s this gleaming vessel amidst the infinite, representing humanity’s relentless drive to know, to push boundaries. Isn't that the essence of a classic hero’s journey, reimagined for the cosmos? Plus, Punchatz’s technique—the way he renders light, the almost tangible texture—lends a gravitas that elevates it beyond mere illustration. Do you think the textures help the narrative come alive? Editor: Absolutely, I think so. I hadn’t considered the textures before. They make the spaceship almost...touchable? You make me think that this ship becomes an almost religious figure. Like an angel, flying down. I would never have thought to use such concepts for such a sci-fi design. Thanks! Curator: And thank you, this made me see it with new eyes. Perhaps it’s a bit of both; technology and a shared symbolic expression, hurtling into the future, with its textures holding a hint of our present hopes.