The sci-fi shorts imagining our cities of the future
- Text by Niall Flynn
- Photography by Blast Theory
In a world that appears more chaotic and unpredictable with each passing day, a new collection of sci-fi shorts is pondering how our communities and environment will appear 80 years from now – and what kind of role humans will take in shaping them.
The project, titled 2097: We Made Ourselves Over, encompasses a series of five short visuals, each of which is accompanied by its own immersive film made especially for smartphones. Coming courtesy of interactive art group Blast Theory – and co-commissioned by Hull 2017 UK City of Culture and Aarhus European Capital of Culture 2017 – the series seeks to explore the belief that “everyone has the power to act and influence the future.”
Set in the fictional city of Aarhull in the year 2097, the film features ideas (molecular harvesters, the transferring of consciousness from the dead to the living) influenced by interviews with experts in fields such as community activism, climate change and artificial intelligence, as well as current residents of both Hull and Aarhus. However, rather than present a dystopia, 2097: We Made Ourselves Over instead focuses on the positive, exciting potential of such a landscape; the interactive nature of the app allows viewers to have a first-hand role in the events, working with characters in the film on decisions that concern the future city.
Speaking on the series, Blast Theory’s Nick Tandavanitj explained: “2097: We Made Ourselves Over takes you on a journey to the cusp of the next century into a world where consciousness is transferred from the dead to the living and molecular harvesters destroy cities and rebuild them.”
“Exploring the belief that everyone has the power to act and influence the future – 2097: We Made Ourselves Over uncovers the unnerving and exhilarating idea that anything is possible.”
The sci-fi short films and app will be available online from Sunday October 1, with a brand new short sci-fi film and app episode released every weekend for the rest of the month.
Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
Latest on Huck
Nearly a century ago, denim launched a US fashion revolution
The fabric that built America — From its roots as rugged workwear, the material became a society-wide phenomenon in the 20th century, even democratising womenswear. A new photobook revisits its impact.
Written by: Miss Rosen
A forlorn portrait of a Maine fishing village forced to modernise
Sealskin — Jeff Dworsky’s debut monograph ties his own life on Deer Isle and elegiac family story with ancient Celtic folklore.
Written by: Miss Rosen
Subversive shots of Catholic schoolgirls in ‘80s New York
Catholic Girl — When revisiting her alma mater, Andrea Modica noticed schoolgirls finding forms of self-expression beyond the dress code. Her new photobook documents their intricate styles.
Written by: Isaac Muk
We need to talk about super gonorrhoea
Test & vaccinate — With infection rates of ‘the clap’ seemingly on the up, as well as a concerning handful of antibiotic resistant cases, Nick Levine examines what can be done to stem the STI’s rise.
Written by: Nick Levine
5 decades ago, Larry Sultan & Mike Mandel redefined photography
Evidence — Between 1975 and 1977, the two photographers sifted through thousands of images held by official institutions, condensing them into a game-changing sequence.
Written by: Miss Rosen
Warm portraits of English football fans before the Premier League
Going to the Match — In the 1991/1992 season, photographer Richard Davis set out to understand how the sport’s supporters were changing, inadvertently capturing the end of an era.
Written by: Isaac Muk