Making Things Physical

Abstract

In this paper we present a cross-section of FoAM and Time’s Up’s work with physical narratives (PNs), which draw upon experiential futures and experience design. We introduce PNs as explorable, multisensory spaces before discussing the importance of enabling social interaction. We describe a series of creative experiments with PNs to illustrate our approach to futures in an artistic context, including installations, exhibitions and festivals. The design of the PNs involved a range of futures techniques (such as scenario development or design fiction) to invite participatory explorations of the “visionary present”. We do not intend to provide a critical analysis of the design process, methods or implications, rather, the article offers a reflection on our motivations and insights. As an invitation to further dialogue between transdisciplinary fields, we conclude with a call for futurecrafting at a human scale.