Imagine the Future of East London

Role, place, absurdity, interruption, negotiation — a utopia is not only a beautiful image, it creates relationships.

Imagine the Future of East London invited anyone to a creative workshop imagining possible futures for the city. It was inspired by Hägendorf 2100 — Aldgate Edition and took place at Whitechapel Gallery on 27 August 2026 as part of Backyard Biennial.

Participants drew role cards and made quick, wacky masks and “future glasses”, then went out onto the street to observe — who uses this place, who is missing, what works, what doesn’t — and to ask “What if…?”. Speed rounds pushed the ideas further: make the place completely ridiculous, make it strangely useful, combine two things that should never belong together.

Each group built a first shared utopia — and asked who benefits, and who or what might be left out, humans and more-than-humans alike. Then the future interrupted: every group drew a card that changed its world and had to adapt, mutate or abandon its idea before exchanging it with another group.

The evening ended with a walk to Toynbee Hall and the projection of Hägendorf 2100 — Aldgate Edition, closing with one question: if 250 children can imagine the future of their village, why can’t we?