
What if we lose the autonomy to end our lives and are compelled to live indefinitely?
Wherever we look, scientists aretrying to increase our quality of life,ensuring our present and futureare secure, safe, and comfortable.But what happens if we achieve theultimate goal? What if we manage toconquer death? What happens if weobtain being immortal?The notion of immortality hasfascinated humanity across allages and cultures.
We continuously strive to reach this elusive goal bycombating diseases, improvinghealthcare, and pushing the limits oflongevity.
As the world inches closer
to the idea of immortality, few stop to question this holy grail.
Are wetruly ready for this reality?
The Ministry ofFinalisation shedslight on this issuepreparing society andindividuals for a lifethat never ends.
To illustrate this statement, wecreated a scenario in which deathis regulated by a governmentalorgan, called the Ministry ofFinalisation. This ministry aidsindividuals in “fulfilling” their lives,making them eligible for death in an ethical manner. To initiate thisprocess, people have to report to thereceptionists desk at the Ministry of Finalisation. Continuing theegilibility, they are ushered to a chairwhere they watch an introductoryvideo
Once the video is finished, theyget a helmet placed on their headsand are analysed by an algorithmnamed Khaira. Khaira analyses yourbrain and extract your personalitytype and your utmost ambitionsand desires. She displays them on ascreen in the form of a bucket list:the things they need to do beforethey are allowed to die.
After the analysis, visitors are presented witha signed certificate: upon completionof their bucket list and finalisationof their life, they are granted releasefrom immortality.
The Ministry of Finalisation resulted in a speculative designthat approaches infinite lives ina cynical and humorous way. Thework intends to bring visitors intoa scenario describing an immortalsociety, by making an interactiveand enjoyable experience. Because of the speculative nature of theconcept of immortality, we givepeople a chance to really step intothis world and regain their right todie. By restricting such a normaland maybe underrated given, peopleare encouraged to think about whatdeath means to them and how itrelates to them as an individual.Death is a privilege, but we mightnot even consider that, until ourprivilege is taken away from us.
Genoemd in:
/ Frictional Futures, Demo Days @ Nulzes [2026]
Meer informatie:
/ in progress...
In samenwerking met:
/ Dominik Podgórski
/ Alexander van Bakel