“Machines have less problems. I’ld like to be a machine, wouldn’t you?” Andy Warhol

AUTOPIA (2015-2019) is a project consisting of photographs, videos and installations, which together pose the question of the feasibility of a new world. Automates for a New World was first exhibited at the Melkerij van Altenaken, Hoegaarden (May-June 2018), then at Wilford X Temse (September-December 2018), De Traagheid Tielt (December 2018), Artisjok Lier in l’Avenir (January 2019), Art Center Hugo Voeten Herentals (May 2019) and Triamant Bree (May-December 2021). Artisjok Lier will expose them July-August 2022.

Were the gods automats?

As the 1920s approached, it became painfully clear that humanity was not heading in the right direction, and that it would not die out at a peak as predicted.
At the very highest level, it was agreed that things had only gone downhill since the first nuclear power plants were built, and that only sheer hubris had ever led us to hope that the Tesla, the iPhone and the Dyson hoover would turn the tide. The New Philosophers proclaimed that man would go the way he had come: by accident.

That there is hope again today is due to Bart Ramakers and his Partners, renowned inventors-artists who for years worked in the greatest secrecy on what we today call the Solution.

The Civilisation had exposed so many problems that man simply did not know how to deal with himself and with his environment. Returning to the glorious times before the industrial revolution was strictly forbidden since the ‘International Decree on the matter’ of October 2021. It also laid down severe prison sentences for asking the questions “what are we doing here” and inquiring about the meaning of life in the public space.

It was then that the writings and images of the Automats for a New World project were discovered and distributed. This was initially very much to the reluctance of the inventors, who feared more lawsuits from the relatives of test subjects who had died prematurely while contributing to the project. Today, we know that the machines the two developed will save the world.

Geert Stadeus, editor in chief Snoecks

ARTICLE NUMBER AU010E765419J10:
B-BARBOT™
A.K.A. Hairdresser on Fire / Kappersmachine

Historical because it was Ben Stimulé and Bart Ramakers’ very first Automat for a New World, designed for a fully automatic and yet stylish haircut.

ARTICLE NUMBER AZ050Q731568M11:
THE HARD CANDY CREATION CONTRAPTION™
in collaboration with Roel Stels

An indispensible automat to create jewels of children (no need to bring them to school or to educate them) free of any hassle, smartphone-ready!

ARTICLE NUMBER AU008E765419H08:
HASTALAVISTAR™
A.K.A. Zoekmaakmachine

The Hastalavistar allows you to get rid of all redundant information, such as tax bills, publicity and fake news. It was in operation at the Bereklauw, Herent, April 29th, May 1st and 6th 2018.

ARTICLE NUMBER AU006E765419F06:
PRINCIP-O-THEK™
A.K.A. Principesverhuurwinkel

In the Princip-O-Thek or Principle Rental Shop you rent your favorite principle for a week or a month, discover what’s hip and trending, live it and when you’re tired of it, return it – we have plenty of principles for you to bring into practice. From Flower Power to Post-Truth: everything you need for a flexible life, ready for every challenge!

ARTICLE NUMBER AU009E765419I09:
CONFORMATON™
A.K.A. Conformat

World’s only solution for the socially unadapted.
A splendid machine that transforms every outcast into a responsible tax paying citizen.

ARTICLE NUMBER AU003E765419C03:
CPU3000
(COVERUP PRODUCTION UNIT 3000)
A.K.A. Doofpotaffairegenerator

A machine to pack messy affairs in very practical barrels… With the prototype functioning as it should, now it’s up to the Marketing Dept. to distribute the machine to politicians and powerful people all over the world.

ARTICLE NUMBER AU002E765419B02:
AE-L.I.F.E.™
(ADVANCED ETERNAL LIFE INCUBATOR FOR ELEXIR)
A.K.A. Eeuwiglevenserumbrouwerij

It’s 12 to 5 when it comes to rejuvenizing the old and tired!

ARTICLE NUMBER AU004E765419D04:
ORACOL-O-DELPHINARI-O™
A.K.A. Littermatica/Orakel

The oracle that formulates your most essential questions, produced by the Littermatica™ software (Dutch only) developed by Bob Van Belle in the ‘80s of the last century.

ARTICLE NUMBER AU005E765419E05:
YOLOSENTIMAT™
(#Yolo – You Only Live Once -sentimat)
A.K.A. Pubersentimat/Jeugddromengenerator

The one and only Yolosentimat™, developed to make you relive the dreams you cherished in your youth.

ARTICLE NUMBER AU001E765419A01:
ESCARBOT™
A.K.A. Escapisme Capsule

The ultimate solution for anyone trying to escape from the daily cruelty of reality.

ARTICLE NUMBER AU011E765419K11:
NA21TRAX™
A.K.A. Nationalismgenerator

Because all humans are equal and yet very different, NA21TRAX allows them to create their very personal national hymn, with all the classic ingredients these hymns share, in a refreshing cocktail.

ARTICLE NUMBER AX022C7954979P13:
IMAGIN’AIR CHAIR™
A.K.A. 15 MINUTES OF FAME MACHINE

This great invention of Roel and Luc Stels allows you to live your 15 minutes of fame, after which your body will be disposed environmental-friendly.

ARTICLE NUMBER AU002X765987Z67
LUCIFER-O-MATON™
A.K.A. Burnout Generator

Those who aim to fly high, are likely to fall deep, just like Lucifer, and just like the humans searching very hard for happiness on social media.

ARTICLE NUMBER AU009P365421W67
PANAMARARARARAINBOWWOWWOWGENERATOR™
A.K.A. Rainbow Generator

The world needs more rainbows.

Autopia Inc. expresses its extreme gratitude to: