When the Future Comes is a 30 year artist-led project that takes place across England - in Oxfordshire, Nottingham, Cumbria, Somerset and London. Future Machine, a mysterious interactive artwork, makes an annual journey to each place at the same times every year, due to continue until 2050 - the year that scientists predict will be a watershed for more extreme climate and environmental change.
New rituals and special occasions are emerging in each place, as we gather together each year to celebrate Future Machine's appearance, witness the present, listen to the past and speak to the future.
Future Machine is appearing next...
When Summer Ends in Cumbria
Wednesday 23rd September 2026
Drop in to meet Future Machine at Windermere Library 1.30pm - 4pm
Watch the autumn equinox sunset and speak to the future
at Millerground, Lake Windermere 5.30pm-7.30pm
When The Autumn Leaves Fall in London
Saturday 24th October 2026
Future Machine will meander around Finsbury Park 10.30 - 11.30am
Meet Future Machine, music performances, tea and cake 2.30 - 7.20pm
at the Commons/Jamboree Hut in Finsbury Park (Seven Sisters Gate)
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Research
When the Future Comes is an art/research project taking place in collaboration with researchers at Horizon Digital Economy and the Mixed Reality Lab at the University of Nottingham, University of Derby, University of Bristol and University of Exeter. The research focuses on themes of human-nature-technology interactions, identifying the ineffable in our localities, considering responsible digital futures and ways to archive this longitudinal art/research project.