Reflecting on the language of patterns to visualise the first ever Non-Western science fiction festival

Empowerment of people is not only created through language used in the form of speaking. All sorts of visual languages and patterns can do the trick just as well. The Anyi – a subgroup of the Akan-people living in the eastern parts of the Ivory Coast – know this by heart. Proverbs are central to public speaking within their society. They call this ajendera. For the Anyi, ajendera is visually communicated by means of layers and patterns. The person who can discard the most clearly pronounced meaning is able to discover the underlying message. This way of communication is considered to be highly intelligent, because these layers and patterns enable a kind of evasive form of communication and are considered mysterious.

We consider the Fibonacci pattern a 'western' equivalent of ajendera. It’s ubiquity and astounding functionality suggests its importance as a fundamental characteristic of nature and the Universe. By placing this all-encompassing pattern on top of images made by artists, we force the viewer to become part of the Other Futures ajendera; to focus on the meaning of communication. Which layer will they discard to find the information they’re looking for?