The Market of Happiness
The Market of Happiness targets Global Goals:
15.9 Questioning how to integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values in to our capitalistic society.
12.8 Racing awareness of the ongoing biodiversity loss, caused by human behaviors.
Research
This project investigates consumption, economics, and the loss of biodiversity through a design exploration, grounded in extensive research. The research covers:
The Grate Acceleration
Human activity and global economy are now the primary driving force of change in the planetary system.
The capitalistic system
As a constructed model dependent on constant growth.
Doughnut economy
A visual framework for thinking in new ways about economics whilst safeguarding planetary and social boundaries.
Planetary boundaries
We have already crossed five of nine planetary boundaries, amongst them biodiversity loss.
Process
The project reflects on how deeply embedded society is in the capitalist system and how difficult it is to imagine alternatives. In response, the conceptual framework took the form of a physical store—designed to question and reimagine the current economic model.
From this, the pop-up store The Market of Happiness emerged as a playful exploration of the seductive appeal of consumer goods. The aim was to fill the store with enticing forms that resemble familiar products.
Result
The receipt becomes a design proposal—questioning how we should address the constant growth demanded by capitalism and the ongoing loss of biodiversity.
The store serves as a physical space to initiate dialogue and reveal the interconnections between economy, consumption, and ecological impact.
The store was up and running for an entire week as part of Konstfack’s Spring Exhibition 2023. During that time, many engaging discussions took place with visitors about consumer habits and possible paths toward more sustainable systems.
