WINNER
CAREER BREAKOUT AWARD
- FUTURISTIC PAGAN -
2024 Innovate UK Immersive Tech Awards

Futuristic Pagan

Futuristic Pagan is a virtual reality experience connecting fashion, nature and spirituality, in a Zezuru traditional dreamscape. It presents the fashion collection, designed using 3D modelling techniques by Sabina Mutsvati, to elevate the traditional Hanga and Retso fabrics. 

The virtual reality experience, designed and built by Chipo Mapondera, explores our connection to the ancestral realm through nature. The hut, Imba yaAmai becomes the fashion showroom and site of matriarchal hierarchy and metaphysical meaning.

This project was developed as part the Design Futures Lab 2023, with the support of British Council, Electric South, twyg, Crossover Labs, Korokoza and Matamba Film Labs. 

With special thanks to Eugene Mapondera, Joel Chandauka, Nqo Mlilo, Jason Stapleton, Jonathan “Samaita” Dube, Shumba Maasai, Rutendo Denise Mutsamwira, Sekuru Makamanzi, PK Karumazondo, Dzimbanhete Arts & Culture Interactions, and our ancestors and spirit guides.

Lead Artists

Chipo Mapondera is a Creative Technologist whose multidisciplinary immersive work connects the tangible and intangible cultures of her native Zimbabwe, and beyond. Winning an Innovate UK Award and nominations for AIXR and STARTS Africa awards. Exhibited internationally at National Gallery of Zimbabwe, Fakugesi, and Hypha Studios, Chipo has presented at the Leverhulme Centre (CFI) and Sussex Digital Humanities Lab, and is selected for CPH:LAB 2024/25. 

Sabina Mutsvati is an internationally renowned fashion designer and fine artist, from Zimbabwe. Sabina's fashion work has been featured in prestigious fashion shows, both at home and abroad, and she has designed costumes for theatre plays, films and TV commercials. As a way of evolving her work Sabina is exploring fashion in VR. Futuristic Pagan, the VR project that she co-created, was exhibited in the National Gallery of Zimbabwe.

Film: Joel Chandauka
Sound Design: Shumba Maasai
Music: Muroro Unplugged, Sekuru Makamanzi, Sekuru EP

Awards & Exhibitions

DECEMBER 2024
Finalist: AIXR Social Impact Award
2024 AIXR Awards

01 NOVEMBER - 07 DECEMBER 2024
Chaos & Hope (Group Show)
Hypha Studios, Sugar House Island Gallery 1

AUGUST 2024
Nominee: Ars Electronica STARTS Africa Award 2024
Linz, Austria
With thanks to Neri Torcello, Founder of the African Art in Venice Forum


MAY 2024
Winner: Career Breakout Award
2024 Innovate UK Immersive Tech Awards & Showcase


MARCH 2024
Only What is Revealed Can Be Known (Group Show)
National Gallery of Zimbabwe

Futuristic Pagan V1
British Council x Korokoza Design Futures Lab Showcase, Harare


NOVEMBER 2023

Fak’ugesi African Digital Innovation Festival
Johannesburg, South Africa

twyg Sustainable Fashion Awards
Cape Town, South Africa

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Futuristic Pagan at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe

Only What Is Revealed Can Be Known

08 March - 31 May 2024

Curated by Fadzai Muchemwa

  • "I journeyed into a dream where I met my grandmother and she reminded me of myself. Thank you."

    Darryl Dzapasi, 32, Zimbabwe

  • "Nice experience, amazing in fact. It was so cool. I thought it was so realistic and amazing. I learnt so much. 5/5 stars."

    Tanaka Nyamuda, 12, Zimbabwe

  • "I am in awe of this experience. An important project connecting spirituality, cultural knowledge and high end technology. What an opportunity for discovering, exploring and listening into the deep cultural spaces of Zimbabwe."

    Martina Gruber, 56, Austria/ Zimbabwe

  • "Very nice experience! First time trying VR and didn’t really expect it to be in a museum, but a really nice addition."

    Julia Kimmel, 23, Germany

  • "The piece brought a whole new experience to the National Gallery. It brought a multi-layered content on indigenous culture, supported by well articulated fashion design."

    Chiko Chazunguza, 50+, Zimbabwe

  • "This was such a great and educational experience as one is taught more about our culture. It brings out ancient cultures in a futuristic and modern design."

    Anotida Duve, 16, Zimbabwe

  • "The virtual reality was unlike anything I have experienced before. It felt completely immersive and vivid. I felt like I was there. Very innovative!"

    Peggy Mapondera, 35, Zimbabwe

  • "I saw clay pots, hens and a snake. It was fun. I want to come again."

    Chloe Ziyambe, 8, Zimbabwe

  • "It was really nice, unexpected, and also perfect for kids."

    Giulia Delononz, 43, Italy

  • "It is a very innovative way to learn about the culture and history of Zimbabwe."

    Nadeska Cuthbert, 38, Nicargua

  • "The hut took me back to the village in my grandma's kitchen, with a modern twist. The fashion and jewellery were stunning."

    Mary Hatendi, 67, Zimbabwe

  • "The exhibition was good. It had a lot about my roots. I felt connected actually."

    Portia Nhumba, 28, Zimbabwe

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