FUTURE HEAD SPACE // Dystopia/Utopia: 2070 exhibition program

In conjunction with the Gallery's 2022 exhibition Dystopia/Utopia: 2070, the Artroom has been transformed into a makers space with instructions and materials inviting visitors to create a wall hanging.
The activity is called FUTURE HEAD SPACE and each side of the wall hanging is meant to represent the makers thoughts of a Dystopian world on one side and a Utopian world on the other.
People at home are also invited to participate in creating their own wall hanging with the assistance of a video demonstration and templates to help guide their inspiration and decoration of their wall hanging.
The FUTURE HEAD SPACE program focuses on the different imaginary worlds of the future - Dystopia & Utopia.
Dystopia/Utopia: 2070
Is an artisan touring exhibition where the chosen artists were asked to depict Dystopia/Utopia possible scenarios in a range of different environments.
A Dystopian world is a futuristic, unfair and imaginary world, where there is lots of suffering and destruction. People are sick, hungry and the environment is in complete ruin and chaos.
A Utopian futuristic world is the total opposite of Dystopian. It is a perfect world where people work well together with the environment to ensure there is enough left over for future generations.
This art activity is called FUTURE HEAD SPACE. It focuses on these different imaginary worlds of the future - Dystopia & Utopia.
Create a wall-hanging which depicts each of these imaginary worlds.
You will need these things to get started:
• a paper plate
• scissors
• pencil & eraser
• coloured pencils or felt pens
• glue stick and/or sticky tape
• print-out of face outlines (or draw your own directly onto your plate)
• print-out of Dystopia & Utopian images to colour as you please
• print-out of Dystopia & Utopian words (or you can write your own)
• old magazines/photos etc for collage
• coloured paper and/or card
• wool or string
• a holepunch if you have one
• chenille strips or pipe cleaners if you have them
Let’s get started!
1. Firstly, you need your paper plate and start with the empty heads print out. If you don’t have access to a printer, simply draw the outline of a head shape on each side of the plate. If using the template, choose the face image for each ‘future world’ then cut out and glue them onto the lower part of each side of the paper plate. Or draw your head shape directly onto each side of the plate. Remember to leave space above the
head for an area to draw or collage the things that represent life in each of the worlds.
** If you are drawing the head shapes, you could draw your portrait with the help of the hand mirror, or you could draw cartoon style. **Hint: Utopia could show happiness and Dystopia sadness.
2. To help you remember which side is which, glue/tape or write the words ‘Dystopia’ on one side and ‘Utopia’ on the other.
3. Now think about what to put in the head space of each head. It would be fun to draw a scene of what life would be like. That way you can show lots of features or focus on one theme. Eg: Plastic pollution in our oceans for Dystopia. For inspiration look at some of the pictures on the printouts or make up your own for something that you are passionate about.
4. Once you have selected your theme, look for or draw additional images to adorn your wall hanging with. As per the video, use coloured card to add extra dimension and interest to your plate and attach images or words onto these. Add as many or as little as you like!
5. When you are happy with one side, turn your plate over and do the opposite theme.
6. When you have completed both sides and you’re happy with your result, using a hole punch, put a hole on the rim of the plate (being careful not to do it too close to the edge or it may tear through) and attach your string or wool to create the hanger. * If you don’t have a hole punch, ask an adult to assist to create/punch a hole for your string.
To help you think about themes here’s some inspiration:
Imagine a Dystopian world
• Technology overload - greenhouse gases
• Climate Change - earthquakes, Tsunamis, volcanic eruptions - habitat destruction
• Fossil fuels - coal, oil, petrol, gas
• Global warming - overheated planet - ice cap melt - floods - animal extinction
• Waste - plastic, e-waste, clothing, food, chemicals
• Pollution - in the oceans, on the land
Imagine a Utopian world
• Sustainability - balance (thinking of future needs there is plenty of - food, water, plants, & minerals)
• Clean energy - solar power, wind-power, water generated power
• Healthy living - exercise, natural organic foods, fresh air, sunshine
• Eco friendly
• Organic food, clothing - no chemicals
• Reduce, re-use, recycle
• Natural habitats - respected by man
• Technology balance - use of clean energy