Alison Hiltner

Lives and works in Minneapolis, MN, USA

Artist statement

I see myself as an archaeologist of science fiction, exploring its realms in films, television, and video games while intertwining these concepts with current scientific inquiry. As a way to analyze how cinema shapes contemporary understandings of scientific research and how that knowledge filter will affect future technological advancement. My work of building experiential new worlds is enriched by visits to biologically centered laboratories, where I examine the fluidity of time and our evolving understanding of complex ecological networks. Through a blend of wonder, humor, and the absurd, I create pieces that balance reality and artifice, focusing on connection—how we communicate and coexist amid life’s complexities. Perhaps because of my autism, I find solace in imagined worlds that transform my fears. For over two decades, I’ve questioned what makes us human and how we connect to the life around us. After exploring human physiological responses, I now seek to understand plant life, examining their behaviors to uncover insights that might bridge the divides within humanity.

Artwork