What If!

Metropolis
Online Greenlight Review
Sarah Hall

Carol Long
Carol Long draws influence from plant and animal
life and is fascinated by the small complexities of the
micro aspects of nature. Her work continues to evolve
as she experiments with new ways of expressing the
tiny beautiful intrinsic qualities of nature that we
often take for granted.
Born in 1965, Carol Long was raised on a farm in
Stafford County Kansas. The farm having been
homesteaded in the 1880's had by the time of her
childhood matured with enormous trees and a thick
shelter belt. In these wooded areas Carol explored
and found a connection with nature developing a
total appreciation of plant and animal life.

The City of Darya

Hidden away in the depths of the forests is the hidden gem of Darya. Past the rocky canals and muck filled rivers, you
turn into what seems to be a standard forest. Towering trees reaching further than you can tell, the odd vine and bird
chirping away in the background, lighting the day with their birdsong. It is only when you see the trees reduced to
stumps and the odd roaring of gushing water is heard getting closer when you realise that you are not alone. People
are here. Moving towards, the sound gushing water, curious rustling echoes from the bushes as you continue to
explore the labyrinth of trees. Nearing the source of the gushing water ,a lone wooden wheel of colossal scale creaked
as it turned , lifting multiple tonnes of water up into the trees above , descending up and over a distant wall of
matching scale in the background.
Once you enter the city of Darya, the first thing you notice are mounds of rock, littered with tracings of the past,
telling the stories of Darya`s once proud civilisation. Embracing nature and seeming `Mother Nature`s playground
in the time of the Gods. However, despite their once proud status, times had changed and these monuments had
long been vandalised, notches had been knocked from the surface and they were covered in a mysterious gruesome
green gunge. Strangely enough the toxicity to humans and plant life alike had boost the appearance of fungi, where
the pathways and houses were covered almost completely .Not one inch had been left out of this gruesome muck as
you continue through the abandoned forest grounds the air thickens to the point it hard to breath and the disgusting
stench of oil and petrol fills the air. As you hurry further trying to clear a path towards any form of fresh air, you can
hear the odd wheezing cough and retching coming from the shadows.

The story of this mysterious muck had started several centuries previous. With Darya being a lone city hidden away it was only until
recently where their beloved forests had been demolished. Smog filled the air as skyscrapers began to arise from the depths of hell.
Chugging deadly smokes from their chimneys and filling the waters with toxic oil. All which Darya lived for. As more pollution
filled the air, the more closed off Darya became and those who lived and survived the poisonous air became bitter towards the
outside world. Seeing those who caused or were affected by this monstrosity as impurities of the Earth and were banished.
The further you advance through this maze of smog and trees, the heaving coming from nearby residents begins to get louder as a
wall entombed within vines of all sorts and those who are unfortunate enough to catch this plague are scratching at the walls
begging to be let in. As you continue, careful not to have your own gas mask taken away by the hordes of zombie like beings two
guards confront you. Their own masks, created by what you can guess are made natures own materials unlike the mechanical beasts
used elsewhere.
At first glance those who guard the outer walls of Darya may seem hostile , treating those who are `outsiders` as if those are to
blame for the plague and destruction surrounding their past and people present. Only letting the odd lucky soul inside their
sanctuary. Whether you are there on official business or just a visitor, to them, you are all the same. To those who have heard of
this once great civilisation one may not expect the entrance to such city to be such a ruin. With only planks of wood overlapping
and tied by scraps of rope. One you would expect from a post war film. Despite its lack- luster appearance, in the citizens of Darya`s
mind, it works, and that is all they care for.
Entering the walls, buildings of varying heights tower over the forest paths, smaller buildings made of what seems to be clay
matched with beautifully detailed stained glass windows sat near the border. You can`t help but notice as you progress, that those
who seem to be out in the open, adult and child alike are all working. Whether it is building a new greenery or expanding their
homes to become more efficient. There was no stop. A constant cycle of work to keep the city flowing. Not because they want to,
but, because If they don`t stop the city will fall prey to the sickness prowling at their doors. If they dare stop. The city will no longer
exist.

Moving through the workers, another much more exquisite wall appears, towering above the trees with curved details
carved in clay and concrete. Unlike the last, this wall had no warriors protecting those from the innards. Confident that
those who work would not dare set foot in the highest ground in the area. Those who were classed as Gods among men.
The elders, surviving centuries seeing Darya pass through each passing year , watching as their population decreases and
knowing that despite the cockiness of those who live in the inner circle. They too will be taken by the sickness that
spreads.
As you turn to leave, the city of Darya is hindered by its built up reputation from centuries ago. Now a mere corner of
its greatness, Darya is a fragile civilization threatened to be destroyed by the pollution engulfing the air around them
and the plagued clawing at their door. Ready to burst in at any moment. Despite having such a poor chance of survival
the citizens of Darya keep together as if a family , having one goal in common and working together to make sure they
can accomplish said goal and bring Darya to the legacy it once had. Despite the odds.
Some may call Darya the plagued city ,but, when one sees the monstrosity of their sick one can only see that the rest of
the world are the ones causing it.

Links To Additional Work

http://sarahhalluca.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/space-oddities-la-belle-et-la-beta1946.html
http://sarahhalluca.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/illustrator-logos-2.html
http://sarahhalluca.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/flash-exercise-3-bouncing-ball.html
http://sarahhalluca.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/illustrator-task-2.html
http://sarahhalluca.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/life-drawing-281015.html
http://sarahhalluca.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/digital-painting-mini-projectshark.html
http://sarahhalluca.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/life-drawing-041115.html