Launch Event: The Artefacts of Prediction: Imagining Tomorrow

Throughout the twentieth century and into our own time, the future has been imagined through science and superstition, data, design, and dreams. Drawing on objects from science, fashion, design, and popular culture, ‘The Artefacts of Prediction: Imagining Tomorrow’ invites visitors to consider how ideas about the future reflect the hopes, fears, and technologies of their time — and how our own predictions will one day become artefacts of the past.

This exhibition is funded by the British Academy, and led by researchers from City St. George’s, University of London, the University of Manchester, the University of Bologna, and Monash University. Refreshments will be provided.

Speakers:

- Dr. Maria Christou (Manchester) and Dr. Lise Butler (City St George’s) will discuss the inspiration for the exhibition and the importance of prediction to twentieth century politics, literature and art

- Futurist Scott Smith (Changeist) will introduce the Cold War era board game Future: A Game of Strategy, which turned global issues such as population growth, energy crises, and environmental change into manageable, rule-based play

- Visual artist will Daniela Sherer will join by video to present her animated film Spaceship, which explores humanity’s enduring fascination with predicting the future

- Curatorial team Renée Melton Klein and Connie Evans will tell us how they brought the exhibition to life