Utopian tools
Installation
Cardboard, fabric, ballot box, the thoughts of the public
2025
all photos: Antti-Jussi Kaikuru
Installation view of Utopian Tools at ONOMA’s summer exhibition Utopia in Fiskars 2025.
The concept of Utopia is often characterized from a theoretical standpoint, based on sets of ideas, be it communal, democratic or more authoritarian with an enlightened leader. The goal seems often to be a perfect society. The examples of utopian experiments throughout history have more than often failed.
I propose to start from a different angle, not in theoretical constructions but from a practical, hands on perspective. What does utopia look like, what would we need in an imagined society to make it work? What tools do we need?
I made instrument cases from book binding methods of imaginary tools and asked the audience what the tools could be used for in a utopian context.
Utopia will still be a collective endeavor, based on negotiation. Perhaps utopia is not about a society of impossible perfection, but one built on random, polyphonic imagination?
The project continues.