Housewarming: At Home in 2049

Atrium

Curated playlist of synth, shoegaze, retrofuturism, film scores, atmospheric sounds imagining the Hackney marshes in 2049.

Ticketed £5 | Booking required

Opened in July 2024, explore the seven newest period rooms, Rooms Through Time, at the Museum from 1878 to 2049. Delve deeper into A Converted Flat in 2049: The Innovo Room of the Future with our curator Louis Platman.

Atrium

Playful drop-in activity, inviting visitors to build and wear their own "augmented reality" paper goggles. Using simple cut-out filters, the goggles depict speculative future scenarios drawn from the future room, including pelican silhouettes and infographics. Around 50 cardboard goggles will be available in both adult and child sizes, with five different AR filters to choose from. Designed to be visually striking and easy to join in with, the activity aims to create a lively, futuristic atmosphere as people move through the museum wearing their creations.

Studio

An experimental audio-visual piece by artist-researcher, musician, improviser and writer John Bowers, in collaboration with Andy Sheen from the Interaction Research Studio. The work explores themes of memory, resonance, and digital decay, using layered sound, abstract video textures, and speculative feedback systems. Drawing on archival material and experimental software processes developed by both, the piece responds to the atmosphere and themes of the 'future room.' We’re hoping John will be able to perform live on the night, but the piece can also be presented as a pre-recorded work if needed.

Shop/Entrance to BC

Transform waste into art wishes and hopes for the future in this unique workshop led by performance trashartivist Lola Pony. 

These wishes will be held in a digital time capsule to be read in 2049. 

Atrium/Shop

• House of Frisson
• Kamipaper
• Lady Boo Salutes You
• HOST aka Home of Sustainable Things
• Revival Homewares 3D Printing | Free
  Jamie from Revival Homewares will be showcasing the machine that has revolutionised the production industry, once again reviving the home and small-scale manufacturing industry: the 3D printer. During the event, he will be printing a design inspired by the 2049 room.

Atrium/Shop

Discover the beauty of repair in our visible mending demonstration with Cris. This session explores the timeless techniques of darning and mending, using simple embroidery stitches, as a creative way to extend the life of garments and celebrate their wear.  

Learn how to transform holes and worn areas into striking, decorative features using colourful threads and mindful stitching. Whether you are a beginner or looking to build on existing skills, this demonstration will inspire you to approach mending with creativity and confidence.  

Bring a garment to practice on, or use one of our sample patches. No prior experience needed. 

Atrium

Our bar will be serving up delicious snacks and drinks.

The Interaction Research Studio, based at Northumbria University's London campus, uses a design research practice to explore how technologies could shape everyday life in imaginative ways. Our interdisciplinary projects combine design, art, and technology, and have been exhibited internationally, including at Tate Britain, the V&A, and MoMA in New York. For the Room of the Future, we have created a space, objects, and stories that offer playful and thought-provoking glimpses into possible futures — inviting visitors to reflect on home life, climate change,  culture, and social connection.  

Current IRS members are Andy Boucher*, Dean Brown, Bill Gaver*, Naho Matsuda, Liliana Ovalle, Andy Sheen and Mike Vanis.  (*co-leaders)

Website: research.northumbria.ac.uk/irs 

Instagram: @irs_northumbria 

Youtube: youtube.com/@interactionresearchstudio 

Bluesky: irsnorthumbria.bsky.social 

John Bowers is an independent artist-researcher, having formerly worked in academic institutions in Sweden and the UK. As an improvising musician, he works with modular synthesizers, home-brew electronics, reconstructions of antique image and sound-making devices, self-made software, field recordings, esoteric sensor systems, experimental film, and spoken text. He often combines performance with walking and the investigation of selected sites to research an imagined discipline he calls 'mythogeosonics.' He has performed at festivals including the collateral programme of the Venice Biennale, Experimental Intermedia New York, Transmediale/CTM Vorspiel Berlin, Piksel Bergen, Electropixel Nantes, BEAM London, Aldeburgh Festival and Spill Ipswich, and toured with the Rambert Dance Company performing David Tudor's music to Merce Cunningham's Rainforest. Together with members of the Interaction Research Studio, he contributed to the design of The Prayer Companion - a piece exhibited twice at the Museum Of Modern Art (MoMA), New York, and acquired for their permanent collection. Amongst many collaborations, he works with Sten-Olof Hellström, Tim Shaw, with Paul Stapleton and Adam Pultz Melbye in the trio 3BP, with Kerry Hagan and Miller Puckette in the trio HPB, and in the noise drone band Tonesucker. 

Website: unlanded.bandcamp.com 

onomaresearch.bandcamp.com 

Youtube: www.youtube.com/@bluejohnny78 

Instagram: @johnthemodulator 

Bluesky: johnmbowers.bsky.social 

Kamipaper makes handmade blank notebooks using upcycled materials, upcycled sewn creations and self-published zines. They also like to share East and South East Asian (ESEA) zines to shine a spotlight on them. They care about the environment, sustainability and are interested in the ESEA diaspora. They weave bits of their British ESEA culture into their works when possible.

Website: www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Kamipaper

Instagram: @kamipaperuk

Lola Pony is a performance trashartivist and music alchemist, known for her transgressive shows and melodic songs that promote community, happiness, and resilience. 

Website: www.lolapony.club

Instagram: @lolaponytv 

Cris Prete is a Diploma student in Technical Hand Embroidery at the Royal School of Needlework, having recently graduated from the Certificate course. Last summer Cris took part in a group exhibition at the Town House Spitalfields as part of the London Design Festival and Shoreditch Design Triangle.

As a Textile and Embroidery artist, Cris’s practice is rooted in deep appreciation for nature and traditional Japanese aesthetics. She is also passionate about sustainability, working with upcycled materials and embracing the art of visible mending.

Instagram: @kiseti

Since 2018, The Home of Sustainable Things (HOST) has been at the forefront of circular design, leading the creation and curation of products with zero or low-carbon footprints. Working with an international network of designers, makers and craftsmen, we identify waste streams within the economy to develop innovative design solutions that tackle these challenges and reduce reliance on natural resources.  

HOST’s distinctive expertise in developing and marketing circular design solutions has provided 
unparalleled insights into the needs and trends of circular design, as well as broader sustainability issues. This knowledge is integral to HOST’s incubation work, supporting creatives in redefining the possibilities of circular design, fostering vital discourse on waste reduction within the industry, and facilitating the transition to a circular economy, with an impact that spans environmental sustainability, social progress and community enrichment.  

Today, HOST proudly stands as a pioneer in circular design, showcasing a sophisticated collection that highlights an extraordinary range of materials, processes and innovative possibilities available in the market. It is also the first space dedicated to celebrating, promoting, and advancing circular design, where innovators come together to drive transformative change in the design sector, while offering the public the opportunity to discover and purchase these groundbreaking creations. 
 

Website: www.thehost.store
Instagram: @thehost.store

Revival Homewares's founder Jamie is driven by a deep concern for the environment and humanity's place within it. With over 20 years of experience in photography, digital design, and physical media, his mission is to create beautiful and functional objects that do not harm the planet. Acutely aware of the negative effects of consumerism, he strives to make a positive change. One way this is achieved is by ensuring that all printing and packaging materials used are recycled and biodegradable. 

By combining artistic creativity with a strong commitment to the environment, Jamie aims to contribute to a more sustainable future. He believes in creating beautiful and useful objects while practicing responsible environmental stewardship. 

Website: www.RevivalHomewares.com

Instagram: @revival__homewares 

Luciano Rocha transforms discarded ceramics into captivating works of sustainable art, blending social commentary, surrealism, and nostalgia to challenge perceptions and provoke dialogue. By combining traditional techniques with contemporary flair, his upcycled creations embody both artistic excellence and environmental responsibility. 

House of Frisson celebrates the beauty of reinvention, transforming forgotten objects—sourced through community donations, local charity shops, or even rescued from the streets—into unique treasures. From intricate wall plates to elegant vases, each piece tells a story while promoting sustainability and community engagement. 

The brand’s creative vision extends to a curated collection of giftware, including art prints, greeting cards, coasters, and badges, all infused with Luciano's distinctive collage artistry. As a champion of the circular economy, Luciano minimises environmental impact and encourages creativity through workshops, where he shares his techniques and inspires others to upcycle.

Website: www.houseoffrisson.co.uk 

Instagram: @houseofffrisson  

Lady Boo Salutes You is a vintage jewellery and clothing brand allowing you to express your individuality through the wonderful world of sustainable fashion. The new "remade" jewellery range is made from found and forgotten items repurposed into unique sustainable jewellery. 

Website: http://www.ladyboosalutesyou.co.uk 

Insta: @ladyboosalutesyou  

The Innovo Room of the Future takes an imaginative look at what real peoples’ homes may look like amidst future societal challenges such as climate change, social inequality, and technological advances. It is a dynamic, evolving space, which will be updated over time with interactive artefacts from forthcoming projects by the Interaction Research Studio, to reflect societal and technological change.

Find out more

Celebrate our newest, permanent gallery, this Museum Late series unpacks the stories of our seven new Rooms Through Time and explore what Home can mean. Explore how homes have evolved aesthetically alongside societal shifts, and enjoy a lively night at the Museum.