World Building Sessions for 2099: Race to Dystopia
1st and 3rd Sundays | 11:00 AM–12:30 PM

Coming to the Hairpin Arts Center the week of March 16, 2027, 2099: Race to Dystopia is a multidisciplinary, immersive arts festival bringing together more than 60 Chicago creatives to collectively imagine and build a dystopian future through film, visual art, spoken word, fashion, set design, music and more.

Come watch us build the world of 2099.

During these public World Building Sessions, our Major Players will gather to brainstorm and work through elements of the festival, including set design, wardrobe, lighting, storytelling and the physical world of 2099.

The world is inspired by the origin story of 21H2, a synth wave hip hop artist and cybernetic robot who has returned from the future to warn us about the world that awaits: a society controlled by greedy overlords and divided between the Haves and the Have Nots.

The public is invited to listen in as the creative team works. Afterward, the conversation opens to the audience for questions, ideas and discussion, followed by time to mingle with artists and collaborators.

Artists, potential volunteers and the simply curious are all welcome.

The 2099 Artist Submission Portal is open through December 31, 2026.

Selected artists will compete for six $500 Audience Choice Awards, including an opening night cosplay competition open to the public.

AGENDA

11:00 AM
Major Players introduce themselves and their roles in the project.

11:10 AM
World Building Conversation
Listen in as the Major Players brainstorm and develop the world of 2099. During this portion, the audience observes rather than participates.

12:00 PM
Audience Conversation
Questions, comments and ideas from the public.

12:15–12:30 PM
Mingle
Meet the Major Players, ask questions, connect with other artists and continue the conversation.

Artist Submission Portal is open through December 31, 2026.

Presented by Shytown Sugar Films
Produced by Tommy Sigmon, Senyah Haynes and Sarah Falkiner
Created by Tommy Sigmon and 21H2

Instagram: @2099RaceToDystopia