The concept of Afrofuturism refers to an “intersection of speculative practice and liberation” because “striving toward freedom has required the Black imagination to see new paths and imagine different worlds.” Writers like Octavia Butler have used the genre of science fiction to imagine Black life at the nexus of the past, future, and fantasy. Similarly, artificial intelligence (Ai), although not a new technology, is being used by a new generation of artists to create vivid and fantastical images of Black life in the future. While many Black people are frustrated by the lack of positive representation in contemporary media, Ai technology is being used by Black people around the world to imagine new worlds, spaces, and possibilities for Black life. Employing the tools of art, literature, and technology Black creators are not only able to envision what Black people of the future may look like but are also able to recreate images of our past.

The “Afrofantastic” exhibition and its supporting programs will explore issues of representation, empowerment, science, science fiction, technology and race.