In the context of the Iaspis, Kostis Velonis presents his work, The Promise of Happiness, from November 25 until February 19, 2012 at the Contemporary Art Center Signal. His work engages with the mutual relationship between social welfare and cultural modernity based on the belief that architecture and design will improve society, and that behind formal and aesthetic applications there is a plan for the production of happiness. With equal amount enthusiasm and critical investigation, he embraces the two contradictory interpretations of the welfare state – from one perspective it is understood as a democratic structure which is liberating on the individual level; from another the individual is understood as controlled and repressed by the state. Sometimes adapting the skillful language of the carpenter or the furniture designer and sometimes splurging into the amateur do it yourself-attitude Velonis’ sculptural work both salute and satirize the principles of democratic design that combine politics with domesticity.
Signal – Center for Contemporary Art
Monbijougatan 15, entrance from the backyard
SE 211 53 Malmö
+46 (0)40 979210
Opening hours: Thursday-Friday 2-6pm, Saturday-Sunday noon-4pm
