What kind of world will we leave behind?
During the immersive game "Ancestors", participants stepped into a possible future — guided only by their smartphones. A future shaped by technology, storytelling, and the responsibility we carry for generations to come.
Ancestors, by the Smartphone orchestra, was an interactive journey where AI, group participation, and reflection came together. It all started with a selfie — your face blended with someone else’s to create a virtual child of the future. From there, a digital family tree unfolded, taking each participant through the roles of parent, grandparent, and finally, ancestor.
But Ancestors was about more than faces and timelines. Together, participants faced real-world dilemmas — from climate challenges to social and technological questions. What kind of world would their digital descendants inherit? And what role did their own choices play in shaping it?
What participants said:
"Beautiful and original concept, really fun for students. Great that SG programmed this."
"I really enjoyed being actively involved like this — it truly felt like we were part of something bigger. I’d definitely like to attend another show by these creators."
"I’ve never experienced this kind of interactive performance before; it was a completely new experience for me."
Photos taken by Evan Broeren. View all photos HERE.
