Futuristic Pagan: Exploring The Cosmos

Chipo Mapondera & Sabina Mutsvati / Sabina Mutsvati & Chipo Mapondera / Zimbabwe & United Kingdom

Futuristic Pagan: Exploring The Cosmos presents virtual worlds in the traditional settings of the Zezuru, Ndebele, and Tonga tribal groups, representing the unique ways that their values and spirituality are expressed. The experience, which is rooted in ethnographic research methods, takes the viewer through the everyday spaces and natural environments of traditional homesteads, and how spiritual connections are expressed. Through the project we aim to expand the participation of Zimbabwe diaspora artists and communities in XR and digitising cultural heritage, taking ownership of the archiving of this heritage through inspiring, high-tech storytelling that challenges limited preconceptions of the culture abroad.

In the current climate we see great polarisation, such as the recent racist attacks in the UK. Our project seeks to humanise marginalised people by exposing global audiences to deeply rooted histories and value systems. We dignify all people as equally deserving of respect and space for self expression by exposing the beauty of a diversity of cultures. Furthermore, African diaspora audiences see their cultures being elevated and celebrated, which empowers them by gaining a positive view of themselves.