Dystopia Land

Dystopia Land / Etsuko Ichihara, Civic Creative Base Tokyo - Photo: Ayami Kawashima

Theme Exhibition

Exhibit

Dystopia Land

Etsuko Ichihara (JP), Civic Creative Base Tokyo [CCBT] (JP)

Dystopia Land explores ways to survive in a society beset by problems and to create a vision of the future.

Based on multifaceted research, the project focuses on the paradoxical positivity inherent in the act of predicting and envisaging the dystopia that awaits, and aspires to build resilience to the uncertainty we face.

The installation embodies the chronological passage of time, starting at the back of the space in ancient history and proceeding to the future. Along the way, the visitor experiences a bizarre and fantastical world: an ancient religion that worships a goat born with one eye due to a genetic abnormality; a robot that dances and sings fictional folk songs; propaganda footage made by a failing government using generative AI; and creepy hybrid creatures.

Through this vision of a dystopic Japan in a parallel universe, the installation presents not just human folly, but the tenacity by which we have overcome disasters and difficulties in the past.

POSTCITY, Bunker

Language //

EN

Max. Participants //

15

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  • Micro-Rituals for “Dystopia Land”

    Etsuko Ichihara (JP)

    In the exhibition space, Etsuko Ichihara will lead intimate, ritual-inspired interactions with visitors, exploring dystopian scenarios and world-building within the context of an alternative Japan.

  • Civic Creative Base Tokyo [CCBT]

    Civic Creative Base Tokyo [CCBT] ist ein Zentrum, in dem die Öffentlichkeit ihre kreative Vorstellungskraft in Bezug auf gesellschaftliche Fragestellungen durch den Einsatz digitaler Technologien erkunden kann. Ausgestattet mit Kreativräumen und Studios, organisiert CCBT ein vielfältiges Programm an Veranstaltungen und Projekten, um mittels Kreativität und Technologie als treibende Kraft für eine bessere Zukunft Tokios zu wirken.

Credits

Organized by Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Civic Creative Base Tokyo [CCBT] (Arts Council Tokyo, Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture) I Project Management: Amane Yamamuro (CCBT), Kentaro Sato (CCBT), Rina Watanabe (CCBT) I Documentation Photographs: Masashi Otsuto (CCBT) I Coordinator: Kohei Kanomata Camera, Video Generation, Editing: Asato Sakamoto, Kazuya Tanaka I Goat God Sculpting: Make-Up Dimensions,Inc. I Folk Song Vocals: Otoya I Robot Motion Design: Chika Watanabe I Inflatable Doll: Wayo Co., Ltd. I Metal Frames and Furniture: YANG SEHWAN I Installation and Lighting: Shinji Kamijo I Graphic Design: Yurie Hata I Interviewees: Yuta Mishima, Masato Fukushima, Yuki Harada I Editorial Support: Yuki Harada (Qonversations) I Mentors: Tomoko Shimizu, Miyuki Tanaka I Translator: William Andrews Production Management: Reina Kobayashi, Mei Shimada (CCBT) I Program Management: Nanana Kanmuri I Technical Support: Miki Hirase (arsaffix) I Production Coordinator: Kaho Kato (TASKO)

Please note: The program for the Ars Electronica Festival 2025 is still in progress.
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