The Latinfuturism Archive -- ongoing
In this proof of concept, we envisioned an alternative future where a pre-Columbian Tenochtitlán (present-day Mexico City) flourishes without the devastations of western colonization and has expanded north to present-day Los Angeles. Using forms from Mayan ruins and hieroglyphs, the prospective Los Angeles is a multi-layered indigenous supercity. Proof of concept created with Zoe Malecki and Sam Kaufman.
How much history is omitted to permit the Mayan civilization to exist today? Latinfuturism Archive speculates this in an alternative future where a pre-Columbian Tenochtitlán (present-day Mexico City) has flourished and has expanded north. Using forms from Mayan ruins and hieroglyphs, the prospective world is a multi-layered indegenous supercity.
Working between architecture, science fiction, and anthropology as a transdisciplinary machine, the project speculates a world unadulterated by the Western Canon: No Columbus, no Cortes, no smallpox. Our project begins by expanding the Mayan metropolis Tenochtitlan as a flourishing Techno-city, the fiction manifests itself through manufactured relics and cinematographic vignettes. The Latinfuturism transcends oppressive realities of colonialism to celebrate and honor indigenous life.
Our process for designing alternate forms of architecture dismantles conventions of 3D data extraction and representational styles (no photo-realism!). Filming, 3D scanning, and compositing architectural models with atmospheric point-clouds set the stage for cinematographic vignettes, depicting daily life at the domestic and urban scale.
The Latinfuturism Archive will be hosted on a project website; showcasing digital films, live-feeds of the fabrication process, as well as a space for the audience to contribute their own images and references. The project seeks to inspire many Latinfuturisms by combining factual research, science fiction, as well as contributions from the Latine community.
/The Latinfuturism Archive is an ongoing collaborative work with Sam Kaufman.