Folding Social

Folding Social is a Masters of Communication Design exhibition that highlights Finland’s history of progressive ideology, through a showcase of innovations taken directly from the book 100 Finnish Social Innovations.

Opening celebration: Friday 7 Oct. 5:30pm – 7:30pm. Free, no RSVP required.

Exhibition open Monday 10 – Wed 12 October, 11am – 5pm.

Text that reads ‘Folding Social’ and a graphic line drawing of a paper crane in blue

Folding Social has evolved and morphed through many stages across two cohorts of Masters of Communication Design students as they worked to present the book 100 Finnish Social Innovations as an exhibition for an Australian audience. The exhibition highlights Finland’s history of progressive ideology, through a showcase of innovations taken directly from the book. To effectively bring innovations that are commonplace in Finland to the Australian community required distinguishing the most locally relevant concepts and creating cardboard works that had recognisable meaning.

As they began deciphering the report presented by their preceding cohort, they encountered the distinct challenges that long-term collaboration carries, in communicating both detailed ideas and broad concepts. Their peers from the first semester had designed the preliminary exhibit concepts, public offering, and various media outputs, which then needed refinement and rigorous feasibility assessments. They worked in five distinct departments titled Project Management & Branding, Print, Installation, Digital, and Public Programs. Each responsible for a different aspect of the exhibition, the groups worked to a master timeline and budget to deliver their concepts.

In its final form, this exhibition not only showcases the fascinating 100 Finnish Social Innovations book, but also speaks quietly of the communication, compromise and collaboration that every student undertook.

More information on the Folding Social website.

Public programs

All public programs are free, no bookings necessary.

DIY Cardboard Workshop

Monday 10 October, 1–3pm

English Language Tour

Tuesday 11 October, 1pm

Mandarin Language Tour

Wednesday 12 October, 1pm

Students involved

Ajay Karthik Kasinaathan, Amaani Muhuseen, Bhavyaa Kumar, Chen (Rita) Sang, Courtney Bree, Cuiwen (Nina) Xu, Dongxiao (Meky) Chen, Eunice Yuen, Haoran Xu, Hiu Tung (Michelle) Chu, Hongjiu (Hugo) Wang, Madelaine Thomas, Mathilda Walley, Peiqi Yang, Shengjie Tong, Shiwen Quan, Siqing (Spencer) Gong, Skyla Harris, Sunrui Zhang, Ting Li (Lily) Chiang, Wenhao (Haylee) Zheng, Wipawan (Peach) Witayathawornwong, Xiaojing Zhang, Xiaoling (Dawn) Liu, Xiaoxuan Chen, Xinwei Du, Xinyuan (Caesar) Li, Xuxin Wang, Yilun (Darilll) Hu, Yu Liu, Zihan (Nora) Gu, Ziqi (Zoe) Ye.

Arthur Ravenel, Bozho Zhang, Chenyang Peng, Congshan Ma, Daniel Rigby, Eleanor Morgan, Hao Lin, Jiaqi Fan, Ruihan Li, Ruoyi Wang, Shangbei Xu, Shuai Shao, Shuo Chen, Shuwei Ren, Si Thu Aung, Tanvi Desai, Wanqi Zhou, Xianzhe Hou, Xiaohan Lu, Yizhi Wei, Yue Yang, Zhaoqi Zhang, Zhen Xiong, Ziye Huang.

Volunteer Support

Jijia Jin, Girivarshan Balasubramanian

Collaborators

  • Erik North – First Site Gallery Staff
  • Chris Mether – Lecturer
  • Dr. Fayen Ke-Xiao d'Evie – Lecturer
  • Dr. Noel Waite – Lecturer
  • Sarah Werkmeister – First Site Gallery Staff
aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.