utopia project 2006: November 2006

UTOPIA INTRO

Utopia is a concept that always fascinates artists as a free expression of the ideal and wish. Art, via the utopia is released by the restrictions of reality and finds its way to the expression of its visions. On the occasion of this relation, the workshop is dealing with the prolific and multi discussed significance of utopia. The term utopia in the daily vocabulary is connected with the ideal, future, the unfeasible and creates margins for many and often contradictory interpretations. Utopias are the places of dreams and hope for a better life, that give exit from the incomplete reality. In certain cases they oppose in scientific or biological laws, involving the metaphysics, sometimes they are ephemeral shelters that do not set particular sociopolitical reflections, but usually their creation is based on the intention to criticize the rendered institutions and the structure of existing society. A concept that is connected with the ideal and wish and paradoxically is often susceptible of previously negative characterizations because of its distance from reality and other times praised interpretation because of its idealistic dimension and its renewing effect in the human history.

UTOPIA books

Thomas More, "the Utopia", (original publication 1516). This book constituted the primary source for the investigation of definition of utopia, its study was found essential as More’s ideas influenced very deeply all the later utopian thought.

Lewis Mumford, "the history of utopias", (original publication 1922). Mumford is one from main thinkers on the subject of utopia and in this book gives a total critical theory of utopian proposals through comparisons between them and collation with the reality of each time. Upon his analysis, he investigates examples of utopias of his era and leads to proposals for the most successful use of utopia.

Maria Luise Berneri, "Tour in the Utopia", (original publication 1950). This book presents a historical review of main utopias and general theories that influenced utopian thought.

Thierry Paquot, "the utopia or trapped ideal", (original publication Paris 1996). In this book Paquot expresses thoughts and unforeseen observations on utopia with particular personal style. Interesting point constitutes the connection of utopia with reality.

Thursday, November 30, 2006

BRAZILIA

The History of Brasilia.

http://www.infobrasilia.com.br/bsb_h4i.htm

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Building utopia: lessons from Brasilia.

Building utopia: lessons from Brasilia.

Cornish, Edward
Publication:The Futurist
July-August 1991
Subject: Planned unit developments (Social aspects), Urban Planning (Social aspects)

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Capital of the future

Capital of the future

Brasilia's place as capital of the world's 3rd-largest democracy

BRAZIL, Brazil. Forty years ago, Brazil built a city, a model city for the 20th century, and moved its capital from Rio de Janeiro on the coast to the remote interior of the country -- to glittering Brasilia. Designed for half a million people, it now holds 2 million residents. The federal district's median income is higher than the rest of the country, crime is lower, and the air is cleaner. But Brasilia's urban utopia faces many of the same problems as the rest of the country -- from poverty to protests, Brazil's leaders face questions and quandaries as the nation approaches the next millennium.

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Tuesday, November 28, 2006

V. VLASTARAS - BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

Vassilis Vlastaras is a visual artist and lecturer at the Athens School of Fine Arts. Born in Argos, Greece, in 1963. Lives and works in Athens, Greece. Studied graphic design and animation in Τ.Ε.Ι. of Athens, film direction in the faculty of cinema Ε. Chanzikos of Athens and painting in Athens School of Fine Arts. Continued his studies acquiring M.Sc. Interactive Multimedia in the University of Westminster of London and MFA in the National Technical University of Athens, School of Architecture, titled Planning - Space - Culture.

utopia project 2006

UTOPIA INTRO

UTOPIA books

UTOPIAworkshop snapshots

some utopians

some works of participants

Jef Nakamura & Patrick Loan project

Annabel Emson 1

Annabel Emson 2

Alexandra Antonaki

Sonia Almeida

Danae Chatzaki

Jedsada Tangtrakuwong

Aspasia Krystala

Ellie Reid

Chrissa Lamprakopoulou

Patrick Loan

Lay Ngo Koay

Maria Glyka 1

Maria Glyka 2

Thursday, November 30, 2006

BRAZILIA

Building utopia: lessons from Brasilia.

Capital of the future

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

UTOPIA paticipants

Links

Links about UTOPIA

GARY WOODLEY - BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

V. VLASTARAS - BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

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