The words science fiction conjure up immediate images of interstellar travel and lightsabers. An exhibition at the Weltmuseum takes a different perspective, with visions of the future as commentary, criticism, and even with a new hope.
- Gives a platform to indigenous voices
- Full of contemporary art
- Immersive thematic architectural environment
- Runs Mar 30, 2023 – Jan 9, 2024
- Book Weltmuseum tickets* online
- See also:
If there were a tomorrow
(UÝRA, Mil Quase Mortos, 2018; © Uýra Sodoma; photo by Matheus Belém)
In the literary world, science fiction makes up a subset of the wider speculative fiction genre. And any predictions for the future feel all too speculative these days, given pandemics, the climate crisis, populist politics, war, and the great unknown that is AI.
Yes, I’m a cheerful chap.
The way we envisage the future tends to be dominated by the thoughts of scientists, tech firms, and Hollywood. Time then to get a different perspective, for example through Science Fiction(s): If There Were a Tomorrow.
The exhibition differs from the technocratic approach both in its context and sources.
For example, the focus is on contemporary art…using installations, video, paintings and other media to tease out visions for the future.
But these are not visions in the “we’ll be flying hover vehicles by 2035” sense.
Instead, the artists use the mantle of science fiction to identify futures that perhaps drift from the mainstream, to pass commentary on today’s issues, and to address the mistakes and damage of the past.
These artists represent voices rarely heard in such contexts. In particular, voices from peoples whose histories include exactly the kind of “extraterrestrial” invasions and apocalyptic scenarios beloved of science fiction authors and film directors.
So, for example, indigenous artists from North America requisition Star Wars to reflect on the conquest of their homeland by foreign invaders. Or indigenous artists from Brazil consciously use science fiction to give a future to their fight against the ongoing destruction of their culture.
Other parts of the exhibition directly address current topics with long-term consequences, such as the climate crisis.
And, lest we fall into despair and dismay, a final room also suggests how we might twist the strands of fate to create a better future…for all sentient beings.
All this takes place in a suitable exhibition environment designed by the KAWA group of architects, who have worked with the likes of film directors Roland Emmerich and Leni Lauritsch on science fiction productions (Moonfall and Rubikon respectively).
I’ll add more info once I have the chance to look around in detail.
Dates, tickets & tips
Take a peek into possible futures from March 30th, 2023 to January 9th, 2024. Any entrance ticket for/from the Weltmuseum includes the Science Fiction(s) exhibition.
(Booking service provided by Tiqets.com*, who I am an affiliate of)
The nearby Theseus Temple has a complementary installation to Science Fiction(s): Saks Afridi’s Space Mosque runs from April 21st to October 8th, 2023.
For a more technological look at science fiction, transport yourself over to the Technisches Museum (they have, for example, an exhibition area featuring new innovations).
And for science fiction of the lighter pop culture kind, Vienna has a couple of events for you: Comic Con (November) and Vienna COMIX (April).
How to get there
Simply follow the tips at the end of the Weltmuseum overview page.
Address: Heldenplatz, 1010 Vienna