Tonje Iversen

January has a bad rep and this one has been rough.

After spending almost a fortnight in Northern Norway during polar night in -14 degrees, London gave me some relief in the new year as I at least could enjoy the presence of the sun. But with storms, rain and a gloomy news picture it has been hard to get that dopamine boost.  

So when I got an invite to the preview of the exhibition CUTE. I thought what better time to go, what better time to explore the power of cuteness and find out if kittens, cuddly toys and adorable art could give me that hit of dopamine. Maybe being in a cute environment would have a better effect than any kitten reel even if none of the kittens are real.

Playing dress-up with AI, 2023. Graphic Through Facility UK

In a month where everyone is watching that sugar, choosing bitter over sweet. Raw over refined. It might be that we just need a little bit more of that synthetic sweetness even if it’s not real. 

Louis Wain. Sweetness Coyed into its Smile, 1935

The sweetest birthday girl Hello Kitty is celebrating her 50th anniversary in 2024.

Hello Kitty has a wall dedicated to her as well as a little disco.

Cute, Somerset House, London, 25 January – 14 April