CLICK HERE TO ADD YOUR EVENT

Utopia Lab: Seats at the Table

In this session, Dr Jimmy Turner and Francesca Vale will present their visions of a utopia in which everyone has an equal but individual seat at the table.

Utopia Lab: Seats at the Table

About Utopia Lab: Seats at the Table

Listed Under Workshops Events

This workshop takes place over 14th & 15th November. Please note – we require that attendees are present for the entirety of both days of this event.

Our Utopia Labs are ‘no-spaces’, places where everyone is welcome to join us in dreaming futures that inspire our experience of the present.

The term utopia was coined from Greek by Sir Thomas More for his 1516 book Utopia, describing a fictional island society in the Atlantic Ocean.

The word comes from Greek: οὐ (“not”) and τόποσ (“place”) and means “no-place”, and strictly describes any non-existent society ‘described in considerable detail’.[i]

In this session, Dr Jimmy Turner and Francesca Vale will present their visions of a utopia in which everyone has an equal but individual seat at the table. On our own and in groups, we will respond to these visions by designing and creating chairs that offer comfort and community to people of all descriptions and abilities. The chairs we produce will then be the starting point for a curatorial exploration in which we consider how the chairs interact with one another and what they represent for the world or worlds they inhabit. We will consider what Utopia means and how it could be a useful crucible in which to explore positive change.

Day 1: Sharing and Making: 14 November, 10am-4pm
Day 2: Curating and Contemplating: 15 November, Exhibition 2:30pm - 4pm

Tickets are free but booking is essential.

Lunch and materials for creating will be provided. The lab will also include meditation, poetry reading/listening and simple movement and breathing exercises. All body types and levels of experience welcome.

Please note – we require that attendees are present for the entirety of both days of this event.

Utopia is a ‘no-space’ for contemplation, innovation and collaboration. Our labs curate interactions between academics, artists, entrepreneurs, students and audiences in person and online globally. We are interested in that which is provocative and irreverent as well as that which is nurturing and joyful. Utopia questions are catalysts for inquiry, learning and creativity. With an emphasis on innovative and experimental ways of communicating, we will explore meditation, dialogue and co-creation with the help of a facilitator. Participants consist of University staff and students, and non-University practitioners.

Sponsored Links

Hilton Glasgow
The Chocolatarium
WST
Wonder & Co
Fayre Play

Similar events you might like...

Cocktail Craft Masterclass

Cocktail Craft Masterclass

Selected dates between 24th January 2025 - 27th December 2025

Join Summerhall Distillery for an immersive cocktail masterclass at their historic venue, where the art of mixology meets the science of spirits!

READ MORE
Dr Arnott’s Sampling Sensation

Dr Arnott’s Sampling Sensation

Selected dates between 1st March 2025 - 28th December 2025

Uncover the secrets of 17th-century medicine with a hands-on workshop led by an expert from his time: Dr Arnott, who examined his patients’ health by analysing urine’s colour, smell & TASTE!

READ MORE
Chinese Dumplings with Shuxin

Chinese Dumplings with Shuxin

Selected dates between 7th June 2025 - 21st February 2026

You have another chance! Join Shuxin at Flavour and Haver Cook School and learn how to make delicious dumplings!

READ MORE
Edinburgh Sound Healing Chamber

Edinburgh Sound Healing Chamber

Selected dates between 5th September 2025 - 5th June 2026

Join Susaidh Soundsphere Scotland and lull your mind, body and spirit into a physically restful state with skilled weaving of gongs, crystal and Himalayan singing bowls!

READ MORE
Yoga in the Dark at The Kimpton Hotel

Yoga in the Dark at The Kimpton Hotel

Selected dates between 19th September 2025 - 6th February 2026

Step into the heart of Edinburgh for a little self care magic with Yoga in the Dark at The Kimpton Hotel, Charlotte Square!

READ MORE
Mindfulness Based Wellbeing Retreat

Mindfulness Based Wellbeing Retreat

Selected dates between 28th September 2025 - 29th March 2026

Join The Mindful Enterprise for this reinvigorating day of mindfulness practices, in the stunning surroundings of Dalkeith Country Park.

READ MORE
Crafternoons

Crafternoons

Selected dates between 26th October 2025 - 20th December 2025

Looking for something fun to do with the kids during the winter? Then come along to these FREE arts and crafts sessions every Saturday at the Scottish Parliament!

READ MORE
Men’s Yoga Morning with Adam

Men’s Yoga Morning with Adam

Selected dates between 5th November 2025 - 17th December 2025

Yoga is a great way to start your day, and whether you are young, old, looking to get fit, this Wednesday class at Sonshine Hollistic in Livingston is suitable for all levels!

READ MORE
Brick and Sip

Brick and Sip

Selected dates between 15th November 2025 - 20th December 2025

Presented by Brick and Sip, come along to The Gilded Saloon and live your childhood dreams of being a LEGO® Master Builder, while fulfilling your adult dreams of having a drink!

READ MORE

Sponsored Links

Open Pass Scotland
Escape The Past
Local Motive Markets
Hostelworld
ATG
Edinburgh Dungeon

Find other events in Edinburgh

Sponsored Links

Hilton Glasgow
The Chocolatarium
WST
Wonder & Co
Fayre Play
Open Pass Scotland
Escape The Past
Local Motive Markets
Hostelworld
ATG
Edinburgh Dungeon

Popular Events

Panto 2025: Jack and the Beanstalk
Join Allan Stewart, Grant Stott and Jordan Young for the GIANT of a pantomime we've all BEAN waiting for!
Edinburgh’s Christmas: The Polar Ice Bar
Take some time to ‘chill’ at the Polar Ice Bar, the coolest bar in the city, where your table, chairs and glasses are sculpted entirely from ice.
Castle Of Light
Make Castle of Light: Fire and Ice part of your festive plans and enjoy the largest annual projection show in the UK when it returns for its sixth year!
Christmas at the Botanics
Explore the sights and sounds of Christmas in this magical after dark experience when it returns to the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh!
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban In Concert with the RSNO
Experience Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban like never before as the Scottish National Orchestra brings John Williams’ spellbinding score to life live in concert at Edinburgh Castle!

Popular Listings

Corn Exchange Haddington Edinburgh Playhouse Festival Theatre Edinburgh Howden Park Centre Livingston Kings Theatre Edinburgh National Museum of Scotland O2 Academy Edinburgh The Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh Traverse Theatre Usher Hall