MASIYALETI MBEWE

The Afrofuturist Village

Under the Future Africa Visions In Time (FAVT) touring exhibition, The Afrofuturist Village by Masiyaleti Mbewe is an ongoing exhibition that uses various mediums (text, video and photography) to examine the different identities, diverse cultures and languages that might exist in the Afrofuture.

This exhibition focuses on using space as one of the central themes; how Black people occupy space and how black people can imagine non-monolithical Blackness in the future. The exhibition also questions why "space is the place" and theorises a future that does not require a Black exodus into outer space but rather imagines a world that accepts Blackness.

The Afrofuturist Village establishes how the concept of Afrofuturism can be applied to the African experience. By linking the various histories of African languages, post-colonial narratives and the desire to reconnect, re-establish and renew; the Afrofuturist village expands the theory of transcending space and time in an effort to suggest inclusivity in Afrofuturism.

The exhibition utilised the use of braille for the visually impaired and sign language interpretations for the hearing impaired to make the exhibition more inclusive and accessible to all Black people.

Lastly, The Afrofuturist Village is the groundwork for the more expansive future exhibitions; The Afrofuturist Town, The Afrofuturist City and eventually, The Afrofuturist Metropolis.