Anna Utopia Giordano is not necessarily looking to change the world, nor is she moralizing on it, yet she picks up on important topics that affect many younger people universally. She studied Epistemology & Philosophy of Logic at the University of Milan and does not shy away from a polemic. Poet, model and artist, Anna Utopia is known for slimming down Venus from the renaissance, placing children labels alcohol bottles and much more.

How did your pseudonym Utopia come to be?

Utopia is the pen name I chose 10 years ago when I started my blog. With time my friends have started calling me that, and well, it has become a real pseudonym now.

What is Utopia for you?

Utopia reminds me of never being complete, finished: I aim towards a self that keeps evolving. It’s a concept that indicates a direction, but not a destination. It’s also a conscientious move towards the ideal society and absolute good.

How did the project My Social Generation come to be?

To be honest, the idea came from a photo-shoot where we thought of post producing it with a strong teen feel. As I was researching I followed how my teenage cousin or friends’ young relatives interacted on social networks and listened to their comments. I completely changed my initial idea and My Social Generation was born: a project which looks to highlight the way teenagers use social networks.

Do you use social networks?

Yes, I have a Facebook page, and Twitter. I prefer communicating through my blog and I tend to use social networks mainly for work purposes. I rarely publish personal info or pictures, I rather poetry, covers of books I read, music…

 

Your Popbottles project is a great success. The message seems to be directed at marketing for young adults. How come?

Popbottles was born of a dream like state, I woke up and immediately drew what I had dreamt, bottles of alcoholic drinks with toy maker labels. I started working again on those quick sketches months later, and after a couple of days of full immersion the images were ready. Just as I was loading the project on the website I decided to add slogans like "Parents please feed your kids responsibly". The project can be interpreted in many ways, and this one seems to be one of the most interesting. To what extend are kids influenced by advertisements, TV and movies? What message is transmitted by the toys kids play with? They’re all questions that lead to one thing: Why do we think what we think? Why do we do what we do?  

Many of your projects have sociological connotations; they speak to young adults and almost warn them of dangers like anorexia, alcoholism and even sexual harassment, or worse. Why have you decided to talk to them in these terms?

Yes, my target seems that of young adults (20-35) bit I didn’t decide to target them specifically, they’re just a group that responded positively to my world. My intents are not moralistic nor is it my prerogative to say what is wrong and what is right. I am not judging society; I’m just observing it.

What are your plans for the future?

I’ve been recently contacted by a choreographer from California, Bianca S. Mendoza, and have accepted to work on a project called Naked Truths which is based on the use of the naked body in advertisement and art. This project will then be the subject of an exhibition. I’m also working on two photographic projects that look at social networks and internet. My real dream is an anthology of my poems, they have been published in collections, but my wish for a solo publication increases day by day.

Credits: Anna Utopia Giordano