“The Future & Other Fictions” is ACMI’s summer exhibition that reimagines storytelling and the future, co-curated by Amanda Haskard and Chelsey O’Brien with artist Liam Young. The exhibition features 180 works from 19 creatives, including films, video games, art, and fashion, exploring themes of futurism and environmentalism. Visitors experience a maze-like setup with pieces like Hannah Brontë’s ‘Birth of Dawn’ and Olalekan Jeyifous’s ‘Shanty Megastructures’, which challenge traditional narratives of dystopia and highlight resilience and optimism. The exhibition emphasizes the role of screen culture in shaping future visions, interactivity, and Indigenous perspectives. Running until April 27, 2025, it invites audiences to engage with critical questions about the future and celebrate the synergy between humanity and nature.
| name | description | change | 10-year | driving-force | relevancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Empowerment through storytelling | Exhibition encourages active participation in shaping the future through storytelling. | Shift from passive consumption of stories to active engagement in future creation. | Greater public involvement in future planning and storytelling methods. | Desire for individuals to influence societal outcomes and futures. | 4 |
| Indigenous futurism | Highlighting Indigenous perspectives in speculative storytelling and art. | Increased recognition and integration of Indigenous narratives in future discourses. | More inclusive futures that respect Indigenous rights and wisdom. | Growing awareness of the importance of Indigenous knowledge in sustainability. | 5 |
| Fashion activism | Use of fashion as a medium for environmental and cultural storytelling. | Traditional fashion is evolving into a tool for activism and cultural preservation. | Fashion will increasingly reflect social movements and cultural identities. | Desire for sustainable and meaningful fashion practices. | 4 |
| Reimagining dystopia | Artworks transform dystopian narratives into optimistic visions. | Shift from viewing dystopia as a foregone conclusion to exploring resilient futures. | Cultural narratives will increasingly focus on resilience and innovative solutions. | Need for hope and positivity in addressing societal challenges. | 4 |
| Interactivity in exhibitions | Exhibitions are becoming more interactive, engaging visitors mentally and physically. | Transition from passive viewing to active participation in exhibitions. | Exhibitions will evolve into immersive experiences that foster engagement. | Desire for more meaningful and participatory cultural experiences. | 3 |
| Screen culture’s influence on innovation | Exhibition highlights how screen culture shapes perceptions of the future. | Recognition of screen culture as a major influencer in societal innovation. | Future innovations will increasingly be inspired by creative works in screen culture. | Technological advancements driven by storytelling and visual media. | 4 |
| Environmental consciousness in art | Artworks emphasize the connection between humans and nature. | Shift towards integrating environmental themes into artistic expressions. | Art will play a crucial role in promoting environmental awareness and action. | Rising concern about climate change and ecological sustainability. | 5 |
| Emergence of afrofuturism | Afrofuturist narratives envision advanced African identities and social ingenuity. | Shift from depicting African societies negatively to celebrating innovation and resilience. | Afrofuturism will inspire new cultural movements and identities globally. | Desire for representation and positive narratives in African and diasporic communities. | 4 |
| name | description | relevancy |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental degradation | The exhibition suggests possible futures without fossil fuels, highlighting the need to address climate change and environmental collapse. | 5 |
| Cultural erasure | Amidst the themes of Indigenous sovereignty, there is a concern about the erasure of cultures and identities in a rapidly modernizing world. | 4 |
| Technology dependency | As screen culture influences perceptions of the future, there’s a risk of over-reliance on technology which may lead to disconnection from nature. | 4 |
| Access to innovation | Imagining futures where marginalized communities thrive raises concerns about equitable access to innovation and resources. | 4 |
| Social inequalities | The juxtaposition of dystopian and utopian visions points to ongoing social inequalities that may prevent a harmonious future. | 5 |
| Artificial Intelligence concerns | The impact of AI on creativity and storytelling poses questions about its role in shaping future narratives. | 4 |
| name | description | relevancy |
|---|---|---|
| Active Participation in Shaping the Future | Visitors are encouraged to engage actively in envisioning and creating a more optimistic future, rather than passively experiencing it. | 5 |
| Sensory Engagement in Art | The exhibition integrates various senses, including smell and touch, to deepen the immersive experience of the artworks. | 4 |
| Interactivity in Exhibitions | The exhibition features interactive elements that allow visitors to create and take home personalized experiences, enhancing engagement. | 4 |
| Speculative Storytelling | Artists use speculative storytelling to imagine and visualize alternative futures, particularly focusing on Indigenous cultures and environmental themes. | 5 |
| Reclamation of Space and Identity | The exhibition showcases narratives of reclaiming space and identity, particularly through the lens of Indigenous and African perspectives. | 5 |
| Fashion as a Medium for Activism | Fashion is employed as a tool for activism, preserving Indigenous identities and promoting sustainable practices. | 4 |
| Utopian Visions from Dystopian Contexts | Artists reimagine dystopian themes into hopeful, utopian futures, challenging traditional narratives. | 5 |
| Screen Culture’s Role in Futurism | The exhibition highlights the influence of screen culture in shaping perceptions of the future through historical and contemporary examples. | 4 |
| description | relevancy | src |
|---|---|---|
| Autonomous vehicles that can navigate without human input, revolutionizing transportation and mobility. | 5 | 46e9768b6adfdac55725eb9e91eb66e4 |
| Mobile devices with advanced computing capabilities, enabling communication, internet access, and various applications. | 5 | 46e9768b6adfdac55725eb9e91eb66e4 |
| Immersive technology that simulates physical presence in a virtual environment for training, entertainment, and education. | 5 | 46e9768b6adfdac55725eb9e91eb66e4 |
| Fashion practices focusing on environmental and social sustainability, using recycled materials and ethical production methods. | 4 | 46e9768b6adfdac55725eb9e91eb66e4 |
| Narrative techniques that imagine future possibilities and scenarios to provoke thought and inspire action. | 4 | 46e9768b6adfdac55725eb9e91eb66e4 |
| The use of AI technologies to enhance storytelling, production, and viewer engagement in film and media. | 5 | 46e9768b6adfdac55725eb9e91eb66e4 |
| A cultural movement that reimagines futures through the lens of Indigenous identities, histories, and perspectives. | 4 | 46e9768b6adfdac55725eb9e91eb66e4 |
| Engaging visitors through interactive elements that encourage participation and personal connection with the content. | 4 | 46e9768b6adfdac55725eb9e91eb66e4 |
| Using fashion as a medium to promote social change and advocacy for cultural identities and environmental issues. | 4 | 46e9768b6adfdac55725eb9e91eb66e4 |
| name | description | relevancy |
|---|---|---|
| Storytelling and Futurism | Exploration of how storytelling shapes perceptions and visions of the future, urging active participation in its creation. | 4 |
| Indigenous Sovereignty and Futurism | The rise of Indigenous narratives reclaiming sovereignty and cultural identity in speculative futures. | 5 |
| Screen Culture’s Role in Innovation | Screen culture as a catalyst for technological and social innovation, shaping future realities through media. | 4 |
| Environmental Sustainability in Art | Artworks emphasizing sustainable practices and environmental consciousness, highlighting the relationship between humanity and nature. | 5 |
| Fashion Activism | The emergence of fashion as a medium for activism, preserving culture and identity through innovative design. | 4 |
| Interactivity in Exhibitions | Increasing use of interactive elements in exhibitions to engage audiences and provoke thought about the future. | 3 |
| Afrofuturism and Utopian Narratives | The exploration of Afrofuturism as a means to envision and construct empowering futures for marginalized communities. | 4 |
| Artificial Intelligence in Cinema | The impact of AI on storytelling and cinema, raising questions about creativity and the future of narrative. | 4 |