Utopiarium
(2025)
Utopia. Does it still mean anything? What’s the point of it?
Is planning and reinventing society still an option? If so, is it possible? Is it risky?
Utopiarium is a project where people are invited to sit on a colourful beach chair next to a stranger facing the horizon and, for about 30 minutes, have a chat about a different (and better) version of the future. Participants receive a conversation guide to explore the premise of an “ideal society”, starting with simple questions such as “what would you bring (or not) to your utopia?” and “what would definetely exist (or not) in your utopia?” to addressing bigger topics around wealth, inequality, prisons and education.
Through these brief encounters, the project aims to connect individual’s understandings of a better life with a wider social perspective and, at the same time, encourage people to reimagine the world we live in.
***
concept & production: Gustavo Dias-Vallejo
*this project emerged from a ”Develop Your Creative Practice” funding from Arts Council England, exploring original participatory work with communities and received developmental support from Projekt Europa, Exchange Theatre, and ARK Cliftonville
(2025)
"Utopia is on the
horizon. I move two steps closer; it moves two steps further away. I walk
another ten steps, and utopia runs ten steps further away. As much as I may
walk, I never reach it. So, what is the point of utopia? The point is this: it
makes us continually advance."
Eduardo Galeano
Eduardo Galeano
Utopia. Does it still mean anything? What’s the point of it?
Is planning and reinventing society still an option? If so, is it possible? Is it risky?
Utopiarium is a project where people are invited to sit on a colourful beach chair next to a stranger facing the horizon and, for about 30 minutes, have a chat about a different (and better) version of the future. Participants receive a conversation guide to explore the premise of an “ideal society”, starting with simple questions such as “what would you bring (or not) to your utopia?” and “what would definetely exist (or not) in your utopia?” to addressing bigger topics around wealth, inequality, prisons and education.
Through these brief encounters, the project aims to connect individual’s understandings of a better life with a wider social perspective and, at the same time, encourage people to reimagine the world we live in.
***
concept & production: Gustavo Dias-Vallejo
*this project emerged from a ”Develop Your Creative Practice” funding from Arts Council England, exploring original participatory work with communities and received developmental support from Projekt Europa, Exchange Theatre, and ARK Cliftonville