The paradox of utopias
What if there were no mosquitoes? If you could remake the world, what would it look like? What if our personal values and preferences changed the world around us? Every utopian vision carries the seed of its own dystopia, and that is the paradox of both technology and playing god.
It is human nature to make sense of the world by telling stories. From roleplay on the playground to social commentary on the theatre stage; from toy cities and dolls to constructing elaborate digital landscapes and societies. These creative acts help us navigate our lives.
In the interactive installation Godseed, visitors use a globe-like tangible interface to “seed” a new world in their image. Based on their choices, a short story unfolds via hand-drawn animations. Visitors are encouraged to critically examine the results of their choices and try again. And again.
Godseed invites us into a dialogue over the dualities of human ambition and the omnipotent power of technology. By looking into the future through the lens of the creator, we are invited to contemplate our individual and collective roles in the stewardship of our world.
Despite unpredictable world parameter configurations, each strange new world always carries a seed of hope: there is nothing that can compare to human resilience.
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Godseed
Carol Alice Tõniste (EE), Helena Väinmaa (EE), Ottavio Cambieri (IT), Rainer Pits (EE), Sander Põldsaar (EE), Tanel K, Valerie V Sarle (FI), Lilli-Krõõt Repnau (EE)
The paradox of utopias What if there were no mosquitoes? What if people were allergic to sunlight? What if penguins were the second dominant species? Interactive installation Godseed invites you to design strange new worlds, experience their stories through hand-drawn animations and remain hopeful. If your world did not turn out how you wanted it…
EKA – Estonian Academy of Arts (EE)
Established in 1914, the Estonian Academy of Arts (EKA) is Estonia’s only public university offering higher education in fine arts, design, architecture, media, visual studies, art history, and conservation. With over 1,100 students and extensive international collaborations, EKA strives to be among the leading international centers of innovation in visual culture. EKA offers continuing education through its Open Academy, unique individualized studies and interdisciplinary opportunities.
Credits
The Godseed team consists of eight students and mentors from the Interaction Design and Animation departments of the Estonian Academy of Arts. With combined backgrounds in animation, cinematography, engineering, interaction design and storytelling, the team includes Ottavio Cambieri, Helena Väinmaa, Sander Põldsaar, Rainer Pits, Carol Alice Tõniste, Valerie V Sarle, Lilli-Krõõt Repnau and Tanel Kärp.
The project is supported by EKA’s long-standing tradition of hand-crafted animation and newer approaches to design and technology.