Utopia Land – anything is possible

Nothing stimulates the imagination like designing your own empire with self-created rules, symbols and fictional territory. The motivation seems to be an attractive mix of absolute freedom in every decision and the creation of your own identity according to your own personal ideas. For many, it is a way to escape bureaucratic or complex conditions and design an ideal world on a ‘blank sheet of paper’. As entities, micronations function like a utopian manifesto, vividly presenting options for change and thus opening them up for discussion.

Entire forums are filled with a large number of fantasy states, which are designed down to the last detail. From fantasy names, mottos, maps, forms of government, constitutions or rules to their own currency or passports, there are no limits to the imagination. The citizens of these self-proclaimed nations engage in lively digital exchanges and often maintain ‘diplomatic’ relations with neighbouring nations – just like in real life. Micronations are usually only real on the internet or on paper, as they are not recognised under international law.

Austrian artist Robert Jelinek implemented many artistic interventions with real social impact with his state SoS from 2003 to 2013. In 2011, the fictional state had an impressive 14,000 citizens.

In this course, we explore the world of micronations, establish a virtual state ourselves, and compose a manifesto based on the idea of positive change. We give this fictional identity a real visual face, design its appearance and communicative interventions.

Humorous, ironic and provocative approaches are welcome, but reactionary ones will clearly not be tolerated. Instead of territorial pseudo-states, we will focus on virtual fantasy states that inspire people with new ideas.

Research, content vision and formulation, innovative intervention ideas and the design of one's own nation are evaluated, with a focus on interim and final presentations.