Born out of the art/futurism collective, Futurama, founded by Futurist and author, Derek Woodgate and Cultural Strategist and Social Commentator, Jon Lebkowsky, Plutopia is a collection of artists, musicians, activists, writers and futurists in Austin, Texas, all aspiring to create multiple future worldviews that will enhance our planet.

In addition to Derek and Jon, the leading Plutopians are Maggie Duval, David Demaris and Bon Davis, whose first event at the 2007 Maker Faire, titled the “DIY Home of the Future,” was a great success that worked well as a representation of the convergent future, illustrating DIY examples of a future immersive, responsive and reconfigurable home, all born out of one’s future ability to extend the “Self” and our personal potential.

On the back of theor 2007 Maker Faire “DIY Home of the Future,” success the Plutopia collective created a multifaceted extravaganza during SXSW, supplemented by panels at SXSWi itself. This event focused again on convergence, together with sustainability, arts and culture and other critical emerging issues.

Subsequently, voted the most exciting event of the 2008i program by the Austin Chronicle, Plutopia featured a talk by noted author, educator, activist and environmentalist Bill McKibben whose recent book Deep Economy: the Wealth of Communities and the Durable Future considered the power of the sustainable economy; a multimedia display titled “Sustainable Visions” by Green Grover; convergence in the form of Heather Gold’s “Live Human Search Engine”; AI from the Austin Robot Group and immersive technologies integrated with Brian Park’s famous ‘Flogiston Chair” from the movie Lawnmower Man.

While these themes were succinctly presented through the above-mentioned exhibits, talks and visualizations, they were augmented through theater in the form of The Lance Van de Kamp Show, art from Austin Green Art and music from multimedia composers, Carl Stone and David Demaris, NobodobodoN, and OMEGA MONSTER PATROL!, as well as a concert by British future transhumanist band, Intimate Stranger, who added this show to their SXSW presence.

The event attracted a large, engaged audience, which underpinned the power of using the arts and multi-faceted performances as highly persuasive and thought-provoking media to present new approaches to critical issues that we will be facing in the future. Much of the event was interactive, which enabled collaborative and cross-over participation in creating multiple perspectives to these emerging issues. As a collective, Plutopia’s instigators see collective intelligence, awareness, cognition and collaboration as key to the creation of a positive future for all.