IMAGINARY FUTURES participatory virtual experiences.

A project by Marcus Neustetter in collaboration with Aja Marneweck, Ciara Struwig, Elrico Plaatjies, Johannes Deetlefs, Manzikazi Scota, Mark Edwards, Mariette Erwee, Miné Kleynhans, Nataniël Pokwas, Ofentse Letebele, Paul Setate, Perseverance Mavuso, Reginald Milanzi, Reitumetse Lebatla, Selanvor Platjies, Sifiso Teddy Mhlambi, Sylvia Kalane, Violet Isaacs, Wayne Reddiar, Wendy Menong, Xolisile Bongwana and Zanda Nosenga.

As a continuation of the award-winning participatory film and performance events in 2018 Sig/Sight and 2019 The Vertical Journey, Marcus Neustetter returns with a third reimagined experimental performance in 2020. This time in virtual space and on participating devices across Bloemfontein, South Africa and beyond.

Performative films evoking journeys of discovery and wonder, initially shown at Naval Hill Planetarium, are now brought into the digital domain. A series of free public online events and exhibitions will layer these journeys through space and time with a playful series of acts that sit in the tension between art and science, the urban and the rural, the mythical and the embodied, the past and the future.

The first phase of the project, June to mid-July, saw the activation of the network of collaborators in experimental creative sessions online. Working collectively on shared screens the participants explored new ways of collaborating, alternative forms of expression and new approaches to audiences.

In August, a series of live public performative interventions will be hosted on Zoom that make use of VR immersions, live sound and film mixing, live drawing, animation, puppetry and performance. These will be accompanied by a virtual exhibition of process material and by-products at www.imaginaryfutures.org.

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