New York-based artist Thomas Doyle has created a compelling new series of miniature sculptures that imagine what monuments might look like 500 years from now if humanity's obsession with technology continues on its current trajectory. His latest dystopian collection, titled "Clear History," presents an unsettling vision of the future through intricately crafted miniature models that serve as both artistic achievement and cultural warning.
Working at 1:43 scale and smaller, Doyle masterfully manipulates perception through his tiny yet detailed sculptures. The series draws inspiration from classical Greek and Roman statuary, but transforms these traditionally idealized figures into cautionary symbols rather than objects of veneration. Each piece in the collection bears titles that reference contemporary digital terminology, creating a bridge between our current technological moment and an imagined future.
Among the most striking works is "Clickthrough rate" (2024), a mixed media sculpture measuring 24 x 15 x 15 centimeters, which depicts sharp rays piercing through a woman's head. Another powerful piece, "Opt in" (2024), shows a hunched figure demonstrating the neck-straining posture that has become all too familiar to anyone who spends hours looking down at digital devices. The sculpture measures 20 x 20 x 20 centimeters and captures the physical toll of our digital habits.
"Infinite scroll" (2024), measuring 22 x 13.8 x 13.8 centimeters, continues this theme of technological impact on human form and behavior. Each sculpture in the series presents weathered statues surrounded by tiny figures who peer up at or sit near these monuments, contemplating a world that has come and gone.
Doyle's artistic philosophy centers on understanding the long-term cultural implications of our present moment. "I'm fascinated by the way we are hurtling toward what seems to be a new way of being human, leaping without looking, hoping for the best," the artist explains. His work attempts to trace the potential reverberations of today's technologies across time, questioning what will grow from the seeds being planted in our current era.
"The trappings of past cultures are all around us, morphed and made nearly unrecognizable over centuries," Doyle notes. "I've tried to trace the ways in which today's technologies will reverberate over time. What will grow from the seeds we plant today? What becomes a venerated symbol? What serves as a cautionary myth?"
The "Clear History" series includes numerous other thought-provoking pieces, each with dimensions that emphasize the intimate scale of Doyle's work. "Acceptance criteria" (2024) measures 21 x 15 x 15 centimeters, while "Switch profile" (2024) comes in at 20 x 12.5 x 12.5 centimeters. The largest piece in the collection, "Show hidden" (2024), measures 28 x 30 x 30 centimeters.
Other notable works include "Session timeout" (2024) at 25 x 14.5 x 14.5 centimeters, "Bad gateway" (2024) measuring 20 x 17.5 x 17.5 centimeters, and "Use case" (2024) at 20 x 14 x 14 centimeters. "Temporary redirect" (2024) measures 21 x 26 x 26 centimeters, while "We value your privacy" (2024) stands at 28 x 17.5 x 17.5 centimeters. The series also includes "Rollback" (2024), measuring 20 x 16 x 16 centimeters.
Each title in the collection references familiar digital concepts and error messages, creating an immediate connection for viewers who navigate online spaces daily. Yet by presenting these terms as monuments from a distant future, Doyle encourages reflection on how our current digital behaviors and systems might be perceived by future generations.
The mixed-media sculptures combine various materials to achieve their weathered, monument-like appearance. Doyle's attention to detail extends to the tiny human figures that populate each scene, creating narratives that invite viewers to imagine themselves in this speculative future landscape.
Currently, several models from Doyle's collection are on display at the Ukrainian National Museum in Chicago, offering visitors the opportunity to experience these miniature dystopian visions in person. The artist also shares behind-the-scenes glimpses of his creative process on Instagram, allowing followers to see how these intricate works come together.
Doyle's approach to miniature art represents a unique intersection of craftsmanship and social commentary. By working at such a small scale, he creates an intimate viewing experience that draws audiences closer to examine both the technical skill involved and the deeper messages embedded in each piece. The classical references in his work create a dialogue between past and future, suggesting that the monuments we create today will eventually become artifacts for future civilizations to interpret and judge.
The "Clear History" series ultimately serves as both artistic achievement and cultural mirror, reflecting our current moment while projecting possible futures. Through these miniature monuments to our digital age, Doyle challenges viewers to consider the long-term consequences of our technological choices and the legacy we are creating for future generations.
