How are design and democracy connected? One aspect is the very obvious and physical way in which our democratic systems express themselves. From the way we design all the objects and spaces that express our democracies, from ballot papers to political campaigns and parliamentary spaces, design is intrinsically linked to governance, having both shaped and been shaped by it.

Another aspect is more conceptual and has to do with the design of the systems themselves. To what extent, as designers and citizens, have we contributed to building them? And how could we transform them?
The invitation from the Circolo del Design to curate the 2025 edition of Earthrise, a research exhibition hosted by this Turin institution, was an opportunity to explore this reflection and connect it to the Italian context. It was thrilling to be able to explore this reflection and engage with contemporary design projects that are addressing this important and urgent issue.

The exhibition brings together data visualizations, images, objects, and installations, highlighting the connections between design and governance. We seek to investigate how spaces, artifacts, media, and systems embody the narratives of the social organization we have created for ourselves. Finally, we seek to reflect on the possibility of alternatives to our current convoluted situation. What is the role of design—and of each of us—in rewriting these narratives, in order to shape spaces, systems, and modes of encounter that truly represent and include everyone?

The title of the exhibition, “Where to, from here?”, is formulated as a question because the answer ultimately lies in our actions and in our hands, both as designers and as citizens.
These are not abstract reflections, but in the face of everything we are experiencing today, this exhibition aims to leave all visitors with a very concrete invitation to take action in our daily lives.

The exhibition is divided into four different themes, with four questions guiding the visit and creating the overall narrative. These questions are complemented by a small library on democracy, which has recent books that explore the themes of the exhibition, and by the presentation of the designer who will be in residence.

How are design and our systems of governance connected?

How do our governance systems manifest in the spaces and objects around us?

How do design and media shape the stories and the political realities around us?

How can design help us come together in new, non-hierarchical and inclusive ways?

Earthrise25 is a project by Circolo del Design
Curated by Vera Sacchetti
With projects by AATB, Dries Depoorter, Space Popular, Jonas Staal, Studio Folder and Matteo Bettini, XML Architecture Research Urbanism, Giuditta Vendrame and Fiona du Mesnildot
Graphic design Studio Grand Hotel