The Adler Planetarium in Chicago has recently unveiled a groundbreaking new sky show titled “Niyah and the Multiverse,” which combines theoretical cosmology, Black culture, and imagination in a unique and captivating way. The show is heavily influenced by Afrofuturism, a genre that explores alternate realities based on perspectives of the African diaspora.
Ytasha Womack, a prominent figure in the Afrofuturism movement, played a key role in curating the show. Womack, who is known for her work in both writing about and from within the genre, has organized Afrofuturism events across the country and has had her work featured in prestigious institutions like the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Afrofuturism has gained popularity in recent years, with examples like the “Black Panther” films immersing viewers in a technologically advanced African society untouched by colonialism. Other notable Afrofuturist works include those of science fiction writer Octavia Butler, the character Nyota Uhura from Star Trek, and the music of Janelle Monáe.
In a conversation with The New York Times, Womack discussed the significance of Afrofuturism and its core themes of imagination, liberation, technology, and mysticism. She explained that Afrofuturism offers a nonlinear perspective of time, where the future, past, and present can coexist as one, much like the concept of alternate realities in quantum physics.
Womack cited influences like Parliament-Funkadelic, a popular music collective from the 1970s, whose epic and space-themed album covers left a lasting impression on her as a child. She emphasized the importance of imagination in Afrofuturism, as a tool for transforming circumstances and elevating consciousness.
“Niyah and the Multiverse” promises to inspire audiences with its blend of Afrofuturist themes and core concepts in physics. By weaving together elements of Black culture, theoretical cosmology, and imagination, the show aims to transport viewers to a world where possibilities are endless and the boundaries of reality are blurred.
