The six creative teams participating in Futures_Past: Amplifying Memory with Immersive Technologies are making progress as they move from research and co-creation into exhibition production. Bringing together artists, producers and archival institutions across South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi, the two-year programme explores new ways of engaging with historical collections through immersive technologies, including virtual reality, interactive installations and projection mapping.
In May, the team behind We Are What Remains, developed in collaboration with the !Khwa ttu San Culture & Education Centre, held a workshop with San artists whose original linocuts form the basis of the immersive exhibition. The workshop provided an opportunity to deepen the team’s understanding of the artworks, present the exhibition concept to the community and continue the project’s collaborative approach before moving into full production.
Meanwhile, the Lucid Dreams of Sweet Water for All team continued site visits and technical experimentation with Iziko Museums of South Africa as work progresses on an interactive projection-mapped installation inspired by Cape Town’s ecological and cultural relationship with water.
The team developing To All Who Live In It, based on archival films preserved by the National Film, Video and Sound Archives, has completed filming for its hybrid theatrical film production and is now in post-production.
In Lesotho, the creators of Kings of Lesotho: The Succession Story recently presented a draft edit of their 360° virtual reality experience to representatives of the Royal Archives, Museum and Information Centre, with further edits planned this month.
These milestones bring the programme a step closer to its public exhibitions, which will be presented across South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi from September to December 2026.
Stay tuned for further project updates on Dzulo Latho in Malawi with the Music Crossroads archive, and Acts of Care in South Africa with the Gala Queer archive, coming soon!
Futures_Past: Amplifying Memory with Immersive Technologies is an initiative of the Embassy of France in South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi and the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS), implemented in partnership with Electric South and funded by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.
Read more about each project here.
Picture credit – Top left: The We Are What Remains team works with San artists at !Khwa ttu to discuss the original linocuts that inspired the immersive exhibition. Top right: The To All Who Live In It team completes filming for its immersive theatrical film production, now entering post-production. Bottom left: The Kings of Lesotho: The Succession Story team captures 360° footage for its virtual reality experience with the Lesotho Royal Archives. Bottom right: The Lucid Dreams of Sweet Water for All team develops and tests interactive visuals for its immersive installation in collaboration with Iziko Museums of South Africa. Pictures: Supplied
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