After viewing many fine contest submissions from all over the world, the World Future Society proudly announces the following winners of its

2006 Visions of the Future Art Competition

FIRST PLACE: Floor Houben (The Netherlands)

KRUISPLEIN The public space of the square Kruisplein forms the source image of society in this project. Houben uses a number of photographic and computer-graphics -based techniques to analyze and manipulate people flows. She creates a working portrait of society that is as whimsical as it is unique. Her art promotes a fresh approach toward planning and design while encouraging viewers to think beyond their temporal constraints and to better envision possible scenarios.

SECOND PLACE: Rusty Allen (United States)

REBIRTH The Earth itself is our most precious resource. With that in mind, we must nurture, provide for, and guide the Earth on a path that is healthy but that encourages growth. In other words, according to Allen, we need to "control the future of our world as though the Earth were our child." What's needed is a renaissance of the mind, a rebirth of thought, so that our relationship with the world around us can also be born anew.

THIRD PLACE: Ehsan Naderi (Iran)

FASHION: SMART CLOTHES AND INTELLIGENT TEXTILES This piece focuses on the near-term possibility of smart clothes, garments with wireless computing power built right in. In the future envisioned by Naderi, technology has become so integrated into our lives that we barely notice it. Humankind and computer technology go together like hand and glove.

Honorable Mentions:

Kittie Wells Watson: IN GOD'S HANDS

Albert Moscoso: ELEMENTS

Juan Martinez and Beth Ferguson: ECO-CITY

We sincerely thank everyone who participated in the contest, and hope you will participate in other World Future Society activities and events.