Dongting Huang's 'Future Visa Centre' Imagines Speculative Migration in Walthamstow
On July 29, 2026, in Walthamstow, London, artist Dongting Huang converted the 1B Window Gallery into the Future Visa Centre. This installation was part of Future Imaginaries 2026, a five-day event organized by Applied Live Art Studio (ALAS). Functioning as a fictional immigration office, the centre redefined migration as an entry into various experiences, complete with a reception desk, application forms, a waiting system, and a translation department. Huang, alongside Lois Qi, processed 31 applications, approving 21 and deferring 10. The initiative emphasized participation, echoing themes from Huang's earlier works. After four hours, the centre concluded, providing applicants with uniquely designed Future Visa cards symbolizing their selected topics. Huang is an interdisciplinary artist based in London, originally from China.
Key facts
- The Future Visa Centre operated for four hours on 29th July 2026 at 1B Window Gallery, Walthamstow.
- It was part of Future Imaginaries 2026, a five-day live art and participatory programme by Applied Live Art Studio (ALAS).
- The centre received 31 applications: 21 accepted and 10 deferred.
- Dongting Huang served as body translator, Lois Qi as sound translator.
- The centre included a reception desk, waiting system, application forms, biometric device, official stamps, and translation department.
- Applicants proposed subjects for migration including personal experiences, memories, emotions, dreams, and objects.
- Each applicant created a portrait of their chosen subject, which was redrawn for the Future Visa card.
- The project explored migration as entering different experiences, perceptions, or states, not just movement between countries.
Entities
Artists
- Dongting Huang
- Lois Qi
- Moana Doll
- Amy J Wilson
- Jacob Kasar
- Chun Guo
- Elsa Wei
- Lucy Pealling
- Ursula Pelczar
- Ping Chen
- Pin-Yu Wu
- Simon Ellwood
Institutions
- 1B Window Gallery
- Applied Live Art Studio
- Central Saint Martins
Locations
- Walthamstow
- London
- United Kingdom
- Manchester
- China