Zukunftsamt der Arbeit
2020 I GRAZ KULTURJAHR 2020
AN INTERACTIVE EXHIBITION INVITING CITIZENS TO CONTRIBUTE TO FUTURE VISIONS FOR OUR WORLD OF WORK
production
curatorial work, research, exhibition design, workshop facilitation
in collaboration with
Lisa Hofer
project team
Fabio Hofer
Stephanie Kneissl
Clemens Bernhofer
cooperation partners
TagWerk, Caritas Steiermark
FH Campus 02
Lendhafen Graz
Open Lab Reininghaus
supported by
Graz Kulturjahr 2020
Austrian Federal Ministry
City of Graz
State of Styria
AK Steiermark
photography
Susanne Hassler-Smith
The Zukunftsamt der Arbeit provides space for experimentation and conversation - to foster participation and creativity in discussing our future understanding of work in an age of technological unemployment.
We have been working very hard for a long time, so we wouldn’t have to work anymore. And now we are faced with the dilemma of having no work any more. But why is that a problem? We often forget that the loss of jobs is a natural consequence of rapid technological progress over the past decades. But the fear of lacking a job is real. This has a lot to do with our political culture, our economic system and our social values surrounding work. What can work possibly mean if it is not a political promise, an economic necessity or a proof of productivity anymore?
In this different kind of work agency the audience is invited to say a solemn farewell to unloved professions while deciding democratically which ones should stay in human hands. In collective investigations the uncertainties surrounding the implications of automation and digitisation are approached in many small and experiential steps.
How do we deal with the very likely rise in unemployment? Could we simultaneously meet the demographic shift and face global challenges such as climate change? How much further can the economy grow?
In imaginary explorations, unprecedented job profiles, extraordinary services and novel products emerged - ideas that do not only tell stories of survival, but of thrival!
The project emerged within the Graz Kulturjahr 2020, in cooperation with Caritas Tagwerk and FH Campus 02.
A supporting programme of workshops, guided tours and a panel discussion accompanied the two weeks of the exhibition. For more insights visit the project website werschafftdiearbeit.at !
IN THE PARLIAMENT FOR THE FATE OF JOBS VISITORS WERE INVITED TO CAST A VOTE
IN THE GOLDEN PAVILLION THE VALUE OF UNPAID LABOUR IS CELEBRATED AND WORSHIPPED
HOW WOULD YOU REDESIGN THE WORK OF A CAB DRIVER? THE BALLOT BOXES GOT FILLED WITH IDEAS AND VOTES OF VISITORS
DAS ZUKUNFTSAMT DER ARBEIT IS A SPACE FOR CRITICAL REFLECTION AND COLLABORATIVE ACTION TO DISCUSS THE FUTURE OF WORK IN PLAYFUL WAYS
VISITIORS ARE DEVELOPING IDEAS ON HOW TO USE TECHNOLOGY – NOT TO REPLACE PEOPLE IN THEIR JOBS, BUT TO MAKE WORK MORE FULFILLING
HOW COULD NEW JOBS FOR SO-CALLED DIGI-LOSERS LOOK LIKE?
A PERSONAL DEATH NOTE AND CANDLES HELP MOURNING THE PROFESSIONS PASSING AWAY
THE HEADS OF DEPARTMENT PROVIDING AN INTRODUCTION TO THE CUSTOMS OF THE ZUKUNFTSAMT DER ARBEIT (FUTURE AGENCY OF WORK)