The Future is a data-driven sculpture by UNT Sculpture faculty member Alicia Eggert and Safwat Saleem that illuminates the overall state of peace or conflict around the world. The sculpture is composed of 206 light bulbs that collectively spell out the word “FUTURE,” with each individual light bulb representing one of the world's sovereign states. The base of each light bulb has been laser-engraved with the name of the sovereign state it represents, and the states are organized alphabetically from left to right. Bulbs representing states at peace are lit, while bulbs representing states in conflict are unlit. Determinations regarding the peace or conflict status of individual sovereign states are made on a weekly basis using data culled from various online sources, including the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) and warsintheworld.com.
The Future was commissioned by fineacts.co and has been exhibited at TED2015 in Vancouver and the Cartagena Data Festival in Colombia.