THE FUTURE IS WHAT?

A collaborative research exchange 2024 (Work in progress…)

In the interdisciplinary project “The Future is what?”, artists from Nigeria and Austria (Vienna and Graz) come together to jointly question the social, cultural, and political norms that produce stereotypes about gender roles. An important part of the rehearsal process is cultural exchange. In August 2024, there was already a residency where three Austrian artists traveled to Lagos and met the Nigerian artists. From this, the idea for a collaborative piece development emerged.

At the center of the research is the motto “The future will be female.” This slogan gained popularity in the 1970s with the aim of combating patriarchy and ending the oppression of women. One initial approach to develop a sense of community within the group is to share personal interpretations of the slogan to promote mutual understanding and solidarity both within the group and outwardly. Through a four-week rehearsal process, a performance will ultimately be created that addresses how a group of four women from two different countries envision the future and how we can achieve this vision. (Work in progress…)