Academy Museum explores the influence of cyberpunk

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles will present an exhibition focused on the science fiction subgenre of cyberpunk. The show will be part of the broader cultural event PST Art, which is organizing a sprawling series of exhibitions across many institutions in Southern California in exploration of the interaction between art and science. Cyberpunk: Envisioning Possible Futures through Cinema is conceived as a thorough examination of the social and cultural impact that cyberpunk, from its earliest appearances in the 20th century through recent iterations in the 21st.

As opposed to many science fiction films, with narratives that often unfold in outer space, cyberpunk deals with possible futures on Earth, touching upon the adverse effects of technological advancements such as social upheaval, ecological crisis and urban decay. The protagonists of these films usually fight against technology which has either run amok, has been misappropriated by global mega-corporations for ill purposes or operationalized by governments for repression and subjugation.

The exhibition includes posters, costumes, props and concept art from iconic movies from the cyberpunk genre, such as Blade Runner (1982), Tron (1982) and eXistenZ (1999). The contributions of foundational animated features such as Akira (1988) and Ghost in the Shell (1995) will also feature in the exhibition. At the core of the exhibition is an immersive installation which examines the 20th-century origins of the genre and follows the course of its global development and expansion in the 21st century. Ultimately, the show encourages viewers to contemplate the ongoing challenges of climate change, capitalism and the effects of colonialism, conjuring many possible futures through cinema.

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures was established in 2021 as the foremost cultural institution in the United States dedicated to the history, science and impact of the film industry. Cyberpunk: Envisioning Possible Futures through Cinema opens on October 6, 2024. For more about this and other exhibitions see the Academy Museum site.