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]
Following on from a 1.5 day Utopia Lab design session in which Dr Jimmy Turner and Francesca Vale will have shared their visions of a utopia in which everyone has an equal but individual seat at the table, visitors to this exhibition will be invited to explore the responses that Utopia Lab participants have created in the form of chair designs and models that offer comfort and community to people of all descriptions and abilities. Guests will be invited to consider how the chairs interact with one another and what they represent for the world or worlds they inhabit. We will also consider what utopia means and how it could be a useful crucible in which to explore positive change. This is a drop in event, please feel free to come when suits and to stay as long as you wish.
Light refreshments will be provided.
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.
Where possible we will update our listings to notify of cancelled, postponed and rescheduled events, however we STRONGLY ADVISE that you check with the venue/organiser in the first instance for updates.
All information (whether in text or photographs) is supplied in good faith but should not be relied upon as being a statement of representation or fact.GOT AN EVENT TO SHARE? It's free to post your events on What's On Edinburgh, click here to find out more!
Want to be the first to hear about what's happening in Edinburgh? Just hit 'Like' on our Facebook page, join the What's On Scotland Facebook Group and 'Follow' on our Twitter account and you're all set!The 2025 Edinburgh International Book Festival returns from Saturday 9th to Sunday 24th August with the Theme 'Repair'.
READ MOREJoin us on Thursdays at The Palace of Holyroodhouse for a short talk on one of the fascinating photographs in our exhibition Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography!
READ MOREInto The Wild, a Collaborative Art Exhibition hosted by Edinburgh-based artists Dani Cleeland, Dee Raspin, & Jim McGregor, is showing at Leith Makers from 9th to 27th July!
READ MORE‘Elements Series’ is an exciting collection of artworks by Edinburgh artist Roy Middleton exploring other worlds and colour. Catch it at Whitespace from 12 July!
READ MOREThe Melting Pot and Creative Edinburgh have come together on 16th July to showcase the work of up and coming artists in Edinburgh.
READ MOREJoin the Dovecot and IKEA Museum curators for an early morning tour and viewing of IKEA: Magical Patterns on Friday 18th July!
READ MOREIKEA Museum's Magical Patterns exhibition comes to Dovecot Studios, celebrating 60 years of innovative textile design.
READ MOREJoin Dovecot Director, Celia Joicey on 19th July for a special opening weekend talk on IKEA: Magical Patterns!
READ MOREEnjoy an exquisite four course dinner presented by award-winning chef Roberta Hall-McCarron and explore the trailblazing work of Linder: Danger Came Smiling on 24th July at the Royal Botanic Garden!
READ MOREPowderhall Bronze Editions is excited to be showcasing a curated selection of works by renowned Norwegian artist Tove Hirth as part of their summer exhibition programme!
READ MORE