The idea of utopia is not only criticized for being unrealistic and idealizing, but also for giving a hint of revolution. The black banner Eternal Dystopia is an assembly of plastic and rubber objects found on the streets of Malmö. Rubber and plastic take between eighty to several hundred years to degrade in nature, a consequence of the "modernist utopia" and a fact that will accompany many future generations, whether we like it or not. The bright banner Transient Dreams is a hand-stitched patchwork. The material is a DIY biopolymer from gluten and its properties are comparable to rubber and plastic. The patches symbolize micro utopias (J. Wood), small initiatives, as opposed to the unrealistic notion of total perfection. With the textile patchwork technique, Lilja refers to under-valued female crafts, often performed in other types of perishable materials that have contributed to historical invisibility. As a designer, Lilja is investigating the destructive activities of design and explores how to redefine the role of the designer. The banners aim to visualize the contrasts between utopia and dystopia in an attempt to acknowledge both the harm and the good that human activity can bring about. The banners call for reflection on our past and present, but they also call for revolution: dare to dream and create micro utopias that can give synergy effects and create better futures!
Material: rubber, plastic, gluten-based biopolymer
