Yosuke Ushigome

My area of interest is technology and spectacle. I see them as two key elements of a social mechanism which represents, conveys, and disseminates an ideology. Based on research on technology, science and geopolitics in a specific context, I conceive extravagant and intriguing/funny/silly technological developments and/or spectacular events. By depicting how they would be consumed in a speculative scenario using design language of physical and interactive model-making, my works spur discussions on alternative social systems and ideologies.

The project 'Commoditised Warfare' is illustrations of an alternative world where bespoke spectacular events are proposed to replace traditional warfare as a means of solving seemingly chronic conflicts. Each event, such as made-up sport, bizarre ceremony, and extravagant technology, is specially designed to reflect the cultural and geopolitical characteristics of participants of the opposing sides. Examples of conflicts and spectacles for them are presented in the form of toy models which are mechanised and physically animated to represent how these events operate. Case A: North Korea vs South Korea + Japan + USA, Case B: India vs Pakistan, Case C: Falklands War.