Popular Science Magazine – A New Fountain of Youth 2021

Curator: The image we're looking at is a digital artwork from 2021 by Owen Gent, created for Popular Science Magazine, titled "A New Fountain of Youth." It features a very prominent hourglass figure. What are your initial impressions? Editor: The scale is striking! It feels both futuristic and deeply melancholic. The isolated figure at the bottom really emphasizes the weight of time—or lack thereof—hanging above him. Curator: Absolutely. The artist utilizes geometric forms set against an unusual turquoise backdrop, perhaps to modernize classical concepts. The hourglass is rendered abstractly, a striking commentary on our perception and control of time itself. The small human figure seems to suggest vulnerability, which I relate to the pursuit of prolonged youth. Editor: I am curious about the materiality. This feels digital in its execution, but there’s a textural quality too. Notice the graininess, especially in the rendering of the 'sand' in the hourglass? It complicates this feeling of sleekness and evokes a certain handcrafted sensibility. What tools did Gent employ to achieve this? What labor went into rendering it digitally, while trying to mimic material qualities? Curator: Interesting point. Considering the work's theme of rejuvenation, perhaps Gent is trying to reconcile the old and the new, showing how digital tools and hand-rendered textures can harmonize. It presents 'youth' as a careful manipulation of materiality itself, echoing our very human attempts at extending our life spans through technology and science. It touches on ethical considerations. The quest to slow the sands of time often disproportionately affects different demographics due to social and economic inequality. Editor: Right. This magazine cover really highlights the labor involved in chasing the ever-elusive ‘fountain of youth.' The person portrayed appears very isolated in their effort, yet one should remember all the researchers, laboratories, materials, etc., behind the scenes involved in its process and manufacture. I appreciate how the hourglass shape recalls a blood drop. Its implication hints at possible exploitative sources necessary for producing extended lifespans, as if its rewards will not be accessible for all due to capitalism. Curator: Yes, a pointed visualization, wouldn’t you say? Considering the artwork, it invites complex conversation, blending artistry, and urgent sociocultural critique. Editor: Indeed, it makes one contemplate both the literal production and societal implications. Thank you, a fascinating illustration all around!