Bengaluru, January 18, 2026: The School of Design, Vidyashilp University, in collaboration with Alliance Française de Bangalore, inaugurated Imaginary Futures 2050, a multi-disciplinary exhibition that brings together imagination, innovation, and creative inquiry through the work of its faculty and students.
The exhibition was inaugurated by Vice-Chancellor, Vidyashilp University, P. G. Babu, along with Dean, School of Design, Vidyashilp University Narendra Raghunath, Noted Publisher and Visiting Professor to Vidyashilp University, Prof. Allen F Parker, Director and General Secretary, Alliance Française de Bangalore, Jean-Marc Depierre, Program Chair- School of Design, Vidyashilp University, Dr. Vasanthi Mariadass, and senior academic leaders, marking a significant cultural moment for the city.
Conceived as an exploration rather than a prediction, Imaginary Futures 2050 invites audiences to rethink how futures are imagined, shaped, and contested. Spanning art, design, technology, games, prints, videos, books, and installations, the exhibition frames the future as fluid—formed through present-day choices, inherited histories, and lived realities.
Speaking at the inauguration, Vice Chancellor of Vidyashilp University, Prof. P. G. Babu said, “Good design takes time, but what truly brings it to life is collective effort. Imaginary Futures 2050 shows how faculty and students come together—across disciplines and experiences—to create something both thoughtful and beautiful.”
Elaborating on the exhibition’s conceptual approach, Prof. Allen Parker, Noted Publisher and Visiting Professor to Vidyashilp University, noted, “In design, innovation does not lie in predicting the future, but in recognising that the future does not yet exist—only the present does. What we see here is the immense potential of that present moment, and the promise of a generation willing to engage deeply with ideas.”
Reflecting on the collaboration, Jean-Marc Depierre, Director and General Secretary, Alliance Française de Bangalore, said, “This collaboration marks a meaningful alignment between Alliance Française de Bangalore and Vidyashilp University. It has been a pleasure to host this exhibition and to witness the quality of thought, creativity, and collaboration it represents.”
What distinguishes Imaginary Futures 2050 is the collective spirit behind it. Conceived and executed within a few weeks, the exhibition emerged from sustained collaboration between students and faculty, marked by shared enthusiasm, rigorous inquiry, and an unwavering commitment to creative excellence. More than an exhibition, it represents the culmination of vivid imaginations and the dynamic interplay of innovation and creation.
Running from January 17 to January 25, 2026, at Alliance Française de Bangalore, Imaginary Futures 2050 reinforces the role of universities and cultural spaces as sites where imagination is critically engaged—shaping futures through dialogue, experimentation, and collective intent.
