Welcome to Dinosty!

Artist Statement:

Bleecker’s statement that “one can do science fiction not only as a writer of stories but also as a maker of things” is exactly what we did for this project. We didn't create a science fiction narrative in which there is an exposition, climax, and resolution. Instead, we created a kind of narrative by making artifacts from a world that doesn't exist. These artifacts reflect a society that exists in a world in which dinosaurs never went extinct. They are, in fact “totems through which a larger story can be told, or imagined, or expressed.” This is essentially the process that James Gurney went through to write his Dinotopia series. These books tell the story of people who live with sentient dinosaurs. This idea came to him while working with National Geographic archaeologists to envision ancient cities. Gurney used, among other techniques, both photographs of costumed people and maquettes (or scale models) to create elements of his world, which he then painted and wrote about. While his society with dinosaurs turned out quite different from ours, it was shaped in a similar way.

Man has interacted with creatures since the beginning of the time. Animals have not only been a source of sustenance but some have been man’s best friend. Pets are a great source of strength to families and can become apart of the family quickly. Animals have spirits like humans do. Well, dinosaurs are animals; they exist! The epic creatures have survived and they are amongst us now. In this world of Dinosty, people have learned how important the relationship between human and animal is. Some dinosaurs are wild and some are domesticated which live on farms or on company properties. In the past, public transportation was done by bus or plane. There wasn’t any communication between the consumer and the mode of transportation. Now, there is a mighty change in the politics concerning public transportation. There needs to be an awareness of how the pterodactyl is feeling that day, as he will transport fifty passengers to New York from Los Angeles. Gratitude is heavily introduced to the average citizen because they can physically see the toll and energy it takes for the dinosaurs to help us in our final destinations. Average flying times for arrivals have been changed for the better by thirty percent. People are able to spend more precious time with their family and friends now.

Dinosty is obviously set up in a fictional and fantastic way: dinosaurs are extinct in real life, but real in our world! The fact that they exist in our world and play such a huge role in everything that people do is based in a fantasy. The interesting thing about Dinosty is that, socially, people interact normally. Imagine the world we live in now but with dinosaurs, and you get the world that we have created. Of course, dinosaurs are used for some transportation and much artistic inspiration in our world, but everything pretty much remains the same. Take our photos for example. Dog shows are common social events in our society, but replace the dogs with dinosaurs and the shows are no longer ordinary – they become something fantastic. Dinosaur skin and scales inspire the fashion design of Dinosty. It uses make-up and tattoos like our current fashion world, but the dino-influence makes it ethereal and even a little strange.

Dino Show Rules Regarding Judging the Dino Show Course

The Rules for the Dino Show

Section 4. Course Safety

Obstacle Proximity to Ring Barriers, Walls, and Other Obstacles:

1. Safety should always be first and foremost in the judge’s mind; however, the dinosaurs have to be fed or they will eat the judges quickly.

2. The judge can mitigate some of the safety concerns in the course design phase by avoiding the placement of obstacles in close proximity to each other.

3. Not every dinosaur runs the expected path, and some dinosaurs can be somewhat out of control; consequently courses should be designed with this type of dinosaur in mind. Look at what could happen vs. what should happen. Distance may cure many problems when it comes to safety.

4. Each dinosaur that is attending the Dino Show will run 20 miles for encouragement to the other Dino contestants. A greater distance to the ring barrier or between obstacles that are side by side may well enable the less-than-focused dinosaur to recover prior to getting itself into trouble.