Anatolian Futures: A Memorium for Feminist Folklore merges traditional mythology with speculative frameworks in an immersive virtual reality (VR) environment. The project employs game mechanics such as hidden object discovery, item collection, and physical interaction with a loom to weave kilims, flat-woven rugs handcrafted in regions such as Middle East and Central Asia. This weaving metaphor parallels digital creation—stitch by stitch, byte by byte—highlighting how meaning is formed and carried into the future.

Set in a futuristic landscape, the VR experience features the guiding presence of Umai, a shamanic figure who symbolizes the divine knowledge traditionally attributed to female characters in Turkic mythology. Her contemporary projection accompanies the participant within the virtual space, serving as both a narrative guide and a methodological tool. Through this framework, the project seeks to interrogate ingrained gender norms, challenge patriarchal narratives, and envision more equitable futures rooted in Anatolian heritage.

By converging artistic research and Critical Fabulations1, Anatolian Futures positions Anatolian identities and stories within the broader discourse of cultural futurisms. In doing so, it creates a transformative “memorium” where past and future converge, offering a forward-looking perspective on often underrepresented folklore while preserving its significance for generations to come.