Plural Future


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Exhibition: Plural Future
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Title: Once Upon a Time
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Venue: ANNEX By The Koppel Project
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Date: 15/09/25 - 18/09/255
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An official partner exhibition of the London Design Festival, co-curated by Synonym Lab and MANA Global New Media Art Platform with equipment support from Kitto
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Description: "Once Upon A Time" invites viewers into a richly animated exploration of the emotional turbulence and wonders that define the journey from childhood to adulthood. Framed within the exhibition "Plural Futures | A Map of Asynchronous Tomorrows," this work reimagines the phrase traditionally associated with fairy tale beginnings as a multifaceted narrative path. Intertwining magical innocence with the sobering realities of maturation, the piece reflects on the disjointed and asynchronous nature of personal growth. At its core, "Once Upon A Time" delves into the unspoken anxieties of coming of age—the fear of change, the weight of burgeoning responsibilities, and the shadow of uncertainty about the future. These themes resonate powerfully within the context of Plural Futures, where fragmented experiences of time and diverse pathways to tomorrow are examined. The animation’s shifting tones—from enchantment to melancholy—mirror the exhibition's emphasis on the complex and overlapping trajectories that characterize our rapidly evolving world. As viewers engage with this piece, they are invited to reflect on their own maturation experiences, the silent fears, and unvoiced hopes that accompany personal growth. Through its visual and narrative layers, "Once Upon A Time" aligns with the exhibition’s inquiry into who has access to the future and how traditional stories and media can speculate alternative pasts and futures. It is a poignant reminder that the passage of time, a central theme within both the artwork and exhibition, serves as both an enchantment and introspective catalyst, revealing the intricacies of asynchronous tomorrows.