manual for


IMPRACTICAL THINGS




IMPRACTICAL THINGS, homemade conglomerate, 20 cm x 15 cm x 20 cm, Denmark 2025





Introduction:

IMPRACTICAL THINGS is a series of things that challenge and oppose the prevailing productive order in a peaceful way.
IMPRACTICAL THINGS are not for sale. They are left in nature or public spaces under the slogan: Leave it or take it! People are free to take it home or leave it for others to interact with.
IMPRACTICAL THINGS is equipped with a QR code that refers to this manual.
IMPRACTICAL THINGS is made of a biodegradable material that breaks down primarily through exposure to sunlight and water until it is eventually consumed and metabolised by bacteria.
The production of new IMPRACTICAL THINGS will be published here regularly.
We appreciate any feedback on IMPRACTICAL THINGS. You can reach us at n55@n55.dk




IMPRACTICAL THINGS, homemade conglomerate, 20 cm x 15 cm x 20 cm, Denmark 2025


Construction:

IMPRACTICAL THINGS uses 3D printer technology and 3D drawing programs. Shapes are either scanned, drawn or simply sampled directly from the internet. AI technology is not used in the creative process.
IMPRACTICAL THINGS can be seen as a kind of homemade rapid geological process where information, language, cultural symbols etc. are deposited as fossils and embedded layer by layer. Out of this emerges a new material that can be moulded and used further. The method is similar to the creation of sampled music: We try to collect things and put them together into new shapes to create new meaning.


Background:

Unlike most things from N55, which have an immediate practical function beyond being part of an artistic exchange, IMPRACTICAL THINGS cannot be used for practical purposes as such. N55 continues to work with art as part of everyday life. This also applies to working with IMPRACTICAL THINGS that possess their own necessity, even if they lack a straightforward practical function.
A parallel narrative emerges in N55’s discourse: How do we navigate the massive influx of daily information we are exposed to, and how do we create meaning within this flow?. IMPRACTICAL THINGS is a way of forming new images that contain and deposit the information. It's a paradox because things can store and hide information on the one hand and on the other hand create new language and meaning from this information, hopefully not just contributing to the general noise.
Concentrations of power and new technologies like AI threaten to abolish language and reality itself. Therefore, it becomes even more important for us to create our own images and our own language. To create something that anchors us and makes everything make sense. To give ourselves time for slowness and reflection outside the normal productive order. Artistic behaviour can unfold the space that we lack in a world characterised by the rapid circulation of questionable information. Art is not just a commodity and entertainment, but a fundamental way of thinking and being together. Art is about persons and their meaningful behaviour with other persons and things in concrete situations. ( See ART AND REALITY).





IMPRACTICAL THINGS, Tiles with Impressions, 25 cm diameter 5 cm thick, Denmark 2025



Ownership:


IMPRACTICAL THINGS by N55 is released under Creative Commons licence CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 (Noncommerciall. You may not use this work for commercial purposes. Any use of the works must include proper credits to N55 and a link to www.N55.dk.)

Economy:

IMPRACTICAL THINGS is funded by N55, with primary financial support coming from the fair production and distribution of XYZ CARGO cargo bikes. Additional funding will be sought as needed.




IMPRACTICAL THINGS, homemade conglomerate, Self-portrait, 28 cm x 15 cm x 20 cm, Denmark 2025



Maintenance:

IMPRACTICAL THINGS will be removed after some time, if they are still located where they were originally placed.



THINGS:



IMPRACTICAL THINGS, homemade conglomerate, 15 cm x 15 cm x 15 cm, Denmark 2025





IMPRACTICAL THINGS, homemade conglomerate, 20 cm x 15 cm x 20 cm, Denmark 2025



IMPRACTICAL THINGS, Evolution, 26 cm x 12 cm x 12 cm, Denmark 2025






IMPRACTICAL THINGS, homemade conglomerate, 20 cm x 15 cm x 20 cm, Denmark 2025



IMPRACTICAL THINGS, Homemade Fossils, 15 cm x 7 cm x 1 cm, Denmark 2025





The producer of IMPRACTICAL THINGS


By N55/ ion Sørvin

Thanks to Anne Romme and David Babba


Published January 2025






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