A utopia de Björk

um ensaio sobre o referencial simbólico do álbum musical Utopia (2017)

Abstract

The study proposes an in-depth analysis of the lyrics, sound, and album cover of Björk's Utopia, released in November 2017. The argumentation seeks to understand how the Icelandic artist utilizes these artistic elements to convey a message about the pursuit of utopia, that is, the idealized state of the world in complete harmony. To this end, the article draws on theoretical reflection primarily proposed by a compilation of authors including Edgar Morin, Ernst Cassirer, Joseph Campbell, Junito Brandão, Mircea Eliade, and Vilém Flusser regarding the inseparable relationship between primordial man and nature, expanding into the understanding of the (symbolic) structure of mythical thought. Next, the argumentation advances by considering the role of music in contemporary times. Thus, the study highlights Björk's position in the tradition of incorporating natural themes into her musical production and proposes a careful analysis to unveil how these artistic elements contribute to the expression of the ecological utopian message. Her album Utopia (2017) is explored as a reflection of these ideas, presenting a vision of an idealized world—hence, utopian—in which coexistence between humans, nature, and technology is possible. Finally, the study elaborates on a detailed analysis of the musical compositions, arrangements, and album cover in order to unravel the meanings and interpretations underlying the work. The potency of music to provoke reflections on values and ideals is emphasized, as well as to encourage the stimulation of creative imagination amidst the demands of everyday life.

Keywords: Björk; utopia; mythical thought; transcendent and immanent.