What is Utopia and where can I get one???
Not so easy to find and acquire.
One definition of Utopia is, according to Mirriam-Webster:
uto·pia
noun \yu̇-ˈtō-pē-ə\Definition of UTOPIA
1
: an imaginary and indefinitely remote place
Sounds like the place we all dream of. You know....the one we mentally escape to when we have piles of to-do and honey lists....where we go when we don't want to be "mom" or "sugar" or "student" or "employee"....a place that is designed completely and exclusively for our absolute pleasure.
Utopian design , on the other hand, is,a bit more complex:
"We are firm believers in the utopian dimension of design. It's something we're absolutely convinced of. It's our main drive. But we aren't sure if this utopian dimension can be found in utilitarianism, or social messages. Those particular forms of engagement can be strong sources of inspiration for the designer, and in that sense they certainly play an important role, but they often lack a real dialectical potential. In our view, a true utopian design should change people's way of thinking, not just their opinions.
If we are indeed living in a fragmented society (and we believe we are) then perhaps the only way to shock us out of this alienation is to counter the fragmentation of society with the wholeness of design. In that sense, the utopian dimension is to be found in the internal organization of the designed object, its inner-logic. Which brings us back to the idiosyncratic quality of Crouwel's work which we mentioned earlier, or the example of Rietveld's chair as an embodiment of ideology. You can define it in many different ways: Herbert Marcuse speaks of 'the aesthetic dimension' (in a very good essay of the same name, 'The Aesthetic Dimension', published by Beacon Press, 1978), you can also refer to it as the dialectical dimension, or the critical dimension, or the inner-logic, or the internal whole. In our view, these are all names for the same thing.
We recently stumbled across a quote by the artist John McCracken, who said "I've always felt that it was possible that a piece could change or transform reality, or the world. A work being so tuned that it somehow alters the constitution of things". This almost musical idea of 'tuning' is precisely where we locate the utopian potential of design. (We know, this probably sounds hopelessly idealistic, but that's exactly what we are)."
If we are indeed living in a fragmented society (and we believe we are) then perhaps the only way to shock us out of this alienation is to counter the fragmentation of society with the wholeness of design. In that sense, the utopian dimension is to be found in the internal organization of the designed object, its inner-logic. Which brings us back to the idiosyncratic quality of Crouwel's work which we mentioned earlier, or the example of Rietveld's chair as an embodiment of ideology. You can define it in many different ways: Herbert Marcuse speaks of 'the aesthetic dimension' (in a very good essay of the same name, 'The Aesthetic Dimension', published by Beacon Press, 1978), you can also refer to it as the dialectical dimension, or the critical dimension, or the inner-logic, or the internal whole. In our view, these are all names for the same thing.
We recently stumbled across a quote by the artist John McCracken, who said "I've always felt that it was possible that a piece could change or transform reality, or the world. A work being so tuned that it somehow alters the constitution of things". This almost musical idea of 'tuning' is precisely where we locate the utopian potential of design. (We know, this probably sounds hopelessly idealistic, but that's exactly what we are)."
http://www.experimentaljetset.nl/archive/documents.html
I have found a place where utopian design creates Utopia.
I have found a place where utopian design creates Utopia.
Burj Al Arab in Dubai
Touted as the world's only 7 Star hotel, the Burj Al Arab is also known as the world's most luxurious hotel. From the sweeping causeway leading up to the equally curving profile of this hotel constructed on a man made island, the architecture of this hotel is reminescent of a boat, full sails to the winds, with promises of taking you to your far away Utopia.
Amenities include: a full fleet of Rolls Royces; a helicopter; a receptionist and lobby on every floor; full concierge services; 6 restaurants on site- including an "under the sea" and "beneath the stars" experience; a luxurious spa; yacht charters; a private beach; an infinity pool....the list goes on and on and on.
All yours for only $25,000.00 a night. Well, if you're going the cheap route, soom economy rooms are available for only $2800.00 a night. But, when you are staying in Utopia, why skimp?
You, my friends, can book today:
While I, my friends, am calling the Holiday Inn....
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