All that you touch, you change

The quote ‘all that you touch, you change’ is taken from Octavia Butler’s 1993 book Parable of the Sower, an apocalyptic science fiction story about the disastrous consequences of climate change and social inequality in the near future. It does offer some hope: we follow protagonist Lauren Olamina in her quest to establish her own belief called Earthseed. During uncertain times she manages to mobilise a group of people to set up a new ideological community, based on the Earthseed philosophy she has drawn up. 

In this changing and confusing era we need this kind of imagination more than ever before. Warning signals from all sides declare the world is in crisis but nobody knows exactly what to do. Money and power habitually dominate discussions and eclipse the question of humanity. Can we actually imagine a world where money isn’t all-important?

‘All that you touch, you change’ is an artistic research project by the Nieuwe Vide in which we investigate the power of imagination and theorise about  (anti)capitalism. In collaboration with different artists, Nieuwe Vide reflects on how exactly capitalism works and how to comprehend it. We also consider alternative ways of living; to what extent is it possible to abandon the capitalist lifestyle/thinking and start afresh? 

During the coming months we will work with three artists, who each in their own way reflect on these questions. The results of this research will be presented during three exhibitions at the Nieuwe Vide. 

Read about the first part Phantom Menace2.5 by artist Yeon Sung.
Read about the second part In between a cute ripple of desire by Azul De Monte
Read about the third part Mark the Spark by Harun Morrison