The term “red tape” is used figuratively to describe regulations or rules, compliance to which pose a burden that hinders action. Red Tape Machine makes the figurative literal while removing it from its bureaucratic realm in order to explore societal hindrances to utopia. Words are letterpress printed on 100 feet of red paper which is fed directly into a manual paper shredder. Because each person’s concept of utopia is unique, the words printed on the red tape may or may not resonate to each viewer as something preventing the establishment of an ideal society. For example, as a non-binary, fat, chronically ill artist, “ableism,” “gender essentialism,” and “fatphobia” speak to me, but may not to someone without those identities. Viewers are invited to turn the handle to shred the visible word if it is something they wish did not exist. If what is currently visible does not speak to them as undesirable or personally problematic, they are asked to leave it intact. Over the course of an exhibit the shredded portion of the work grows.