The Future of Philadelphia: Guns as Ruin or Renaissance?

This vision of Philadelphia suggests that guns will worsen the city before it improves. Portlock drew inspiration from Australia, where strict gun laws were enacted in 1996 after a tragic shooting on the island of Tasmania resulted in 35 deaths. These laws have since led to a significant reduction in gun-related homicides and suicides, even though a downward trend had already begun prior to 1996.

Natalie Hijinx, a Philadelphia artist and member of the collective Vox Populi, used her love for science fiction and Gene Roddenberry (“Star Trek”) as inspiration for her multimedia sculptural piece “Long Action.” Set in a future where a decentralized artificial intelligence dominates, the AI, known as the Essensees, is devoted to saving mankind. In this future, a super fungus engineered by the AI feeds on gunpowder, rendering firearms useless and helping to eradicate gun violence.

Portlock’s artwork “Time After the Hunter” portrays a city in ruins but also reborn. The piece reflects the past version of the city, when guns were prevalent, as well as the new version that emerged after the implementation of stricter gun laws.