Strange Place
A Sci-Fi Odyssey by Tery Spataro
I began creating Strange Place in August of 2023, and it has been a journey unlike any other. This project allowed me to delve into a fascinating concept: an alternate universe that’s nestled on the fringes of our reality. Picture a realm where the wisdom and vibrance of elder women flourish, wild and unbound by the constraints and prejudices of society. In our everyday world, these incredible matriarchs are often pushed to the shadows, their vitality overlooked, and their impactful presence marginalized.
Journey to Strange Place
Strange 
Place isn’t just an artistic exploration; it’s a bold, imaginative critique of societal norms surrounding aging and the visibility of elder women. In this unique world, aging is reimagined as a vibrant, magical transition rather than a decline. It challenges the outdated, often-painful narratives of solitude and invisibility that society enforces on our elders. This story confronts the physical and mental limitations imposed upon them, from the unrelenting force of gravity to the betrayals of the mind.
By situating this narrative in a speculative, science fiction landscape, Strange Place serves as a poetic and trippy odyssey. It questions and subverts our deeply ingrained perceptions, inviting you to imagine a society where elder women are celebrated for their energetic essence and transformative wisdom. They become the embodiment of a radical critique of how our society undervalues and isolates its most wise and integral members.
I’m absolutely thrilled to share that Strange Place is now available! This book invites you on an enchanting journey to the edges of the cosmos, where cosmic elderlies with tales as old as time, celestial cats, and joyful hummingbirds gather under a kaleidoscopic sky. It’s a universe unlike any other!
Extra Strangeness
Strange Place is more than just a book; it’s an experience. It comes with 15 augmented reality extras that you can explore using the @artiviveapp, bringing the adventure right to your fingertips. It’s a madcap journey through a wild and wacky world, and I’ve poured my heart and soul into every page, hoping to provide readers with a creative escape and a new perspective on aging and wisdom.
Creating Strange Place has been an incredibly rewarding creative journey for me. Every step of the process, from the initial concept to the finishing touches, has been filled with wonder. The story spans 173 pages and is available in both paperback and hardcover editions, offering a tangible way to dive into this magical universe.
Formats
For those who love digital formats, fear not! The e-book edition of Strange Place is coming soon. But for now, you can grab your copy on Amazon in your preferred format. Whether you choose paperback or hardcover, you’re in for a treat with this captivating journey through an alternate universe.
Thank you for taking the time to discover Strange Place with me. I hope you find as much joy in reading it as I did in creating it. Dive in and enjoy the adventure!
I recently completed the Loop Art Critique Residency, an inspiring experience that helped me craft my artist statement and develop the Strange Place poem within the beautiful metaverse.