During the 16th century, when realistic representation was the norm, artists were thrilled when an accidental discovery revealed the fantastical frescoes that the Emperor Nero had commissioned in the first century to decorate his pleasure palace. Curlicues morphed into animals. Sections of buildings blended with flowers and human beings.

Artists began to let their own imaginations run wild, creating "things which never are, nor can be, nor have been" (in the words of ancient critic Vitruvius).

In this illustrated talk, Tacey Rosolowski explores how to recognize influences from Nero and the Renaissance in contemporary advertising, fantasy film, graphic novels and products. Following the presentation, a facilitated discussion focuses on what fantasy figures say about the artistic imagination, and what such images mean in today's culture.