Dystopia / Utopia
"Dystopia / Utopia" was an engaging art project that utilised photography to empower participants and foster a sense of autonomy and a "I can" attitude. The project centered around the current circumstances of the participants and their aspirations for the future, aiming to illuminate possibilities and choices from this newfound perspective. The overarching goal was to concretise the participants' visions of the future by exploring the concepts of dystopia and utopia.
The project methodology involved identifying locations that reflect the participants' utopian and dystopian scenarios and capturing their portraits within these settings. Each participant's triptych comprises two photographs representing dystopia and utopia, juxtaposed with a photograph depicting their present situation. Through this composition, the project soke to convey a visual narrative of the participants' journey.
The target group for the "Dystopia / Utopia" project was teenagers, and it was executed in collaboration with organisations and institutions that provide a range of services for children and teenagers. To effect tangible change in participants' lives, a pathway to the future was established following the photo shooting phase. The project facilitated discussions around crucial questions: How can dystopia be avoided, and how can utopia be achieved?
The project was conducted multiple times with different groups between 2013 and 2015, thanks to the support of the Kone Foundation and The Children And Youth Foundation Finland. Through their generous backing, the project was able to inspire and empower young individuals, encouraging them to envision and strive for a more positive and fulfilling future.
Exhibitions
Saari Residency, Kone Foundation, Hietamäki, Finland, 2013
Hippolyte Gallery, Helsinki, Finland, 2015
The Handwerker Gallery, Ithaca, the U.S., 2015
Working group
Katriina Haikala, Vilma Metteri, Gabriel Mellan
Press
Exhibition
