Future Object Introduction:

For our future object, we decided to imagine an invention made out of kombucha leather that acts as a translator for audiences to use while they are watching performances happening live at the Apollo Theatre. The object resembles a wrist cuff that wraps around the wrist with a screen in the middle of it. The invention would be discreet enough this way for someone to feel comfortable actually making use of the object and to enjoy performances with no apprehensions. A huge part of encouraging culture and togetherness, especially for a hub for a community such as the Apollo Theatre, is inclusivity. Harlem itself hosts people from all walks of life, and it's vital for members of a community to feel as invited and welcomed as possible. After our site visit, where we were able to explore the ins and outs of the Apollo Theatre, it's largely still a place for performance and entertainment. Amateur nights are one of the main attractions at the theatre and act as a place for the community to rest and take a break after the long week, together. For members of the community who face language barriers, a huge obstacle to feeling accepted is the lack of consciousness of everyone's needs. An invention in the future such as this clutch translator could be a step towards making a more inclusive society within the Apollo Theatre, promoting the exact message that Apollo Theatre stands for which is togetherness.

Our choice to use kombucha leather to create this future object not only comes from the fact that it is a material that is environmentally friendly as well as biodegradable but because of the meaning behind it as well. Depending on its conditions, or context, the outcome of the SCOBY leather changes in its characteristics. Just as the Apollo theatre has gone through a history of changes, drastic and small, it has retained its originality. The surrounding of the Apollo Theatre has changed and been influenced by the effects of gentrification yet it makes the effort to keep its characteristics and remember its history, as it does with murals of famous Black performers who made a name by launching at the Apollo Theatre. Our future object aims to continue the longevity of the inclusivity that Apollo Theatre tries and should continue to promote, by making it a welcoming place for people of all backgrounds to enjoy the entertainment that it offers.