Navigating the Paradoxical Landscapes of Happyland: A Riveting Confluence of Utopia and Reality

In crafting Happyland, I navigate the maze of discursive formations, casting a discerning light on the ways societal structures and power dynamics have sculpted our shared narratives. The 1:2.35 aspect ratio of the artwork, mirroring the dimensions of the United States one-dollar bill, serves as a visual metaphor that amplifies this exploration. This ratio is a quiet critique of the commodification of happiness in our global society—an intricate and often troubling relationship between happiness, value, and society.

Drawing upon a friend's anecdote—“Don't believe what's written, trust what I say”—I am reminded of the stark contrasts between written declarations of human rights and the realities that unfold in daily life. This discord is the raw material from which Happyland is conceived. The Constitution of Happyland, though presented as a blueprint for a utopian society, is imbued with a critical irony. It contrasts the high ideals that societies often proclaim with the dissonant realities that individuals, especially those marginalised by race, ethnicity, or religion, experience.

The artwork, with its thread-like design, serves as a tactile, visual manifestation of these contradictions—a binding and unravelling of the collective fabric we inhabit. In the interplay of blue and white—colours drawn from the Finnish flag—I evoke both national identity and a broader, more profound meditation on unity and division, harmony and discord. The white lines, akin to trails of light against the deep blue, are symbolic trails of hope amidst the shadow of divisive, far-right narratives and ideologies that have found platforms on sites like Breitbart.

With Happyland, I beckon viewers to join me in this critical examination, to follow the threads of societal narratives and to question the price and the very currency of happiness and human dignity. In this, the artwork becomes not just a visual or textual entity, but a critical space—a Happyland where these pressing dialogues are not only welcomed but are central to the experience of engaging with the work itself.

—Mohamed Louanjli, Helsinki, 2023.