Art and Labour

Mankind has forever been preoccupied by the ideology of advancement: that which comes after is more efficient, better crafted, greater in scope and more revealing than that which came before. This linear reality forces mankind into assuming the role of a labour force focused on the production line. How do we produce more for less? How can we maximise ideas and resources? What is the secret to optimum efficiency? These questions have led us down paths that can often seem far from what makes us human. Any focus on labour will inevitably engage in a conversation about intensity versus intention, where one might act for and against another.

Themes of capitalist market forces and the creation of a language that is becoming increasingly absurd seemed apt for the times. We invited artists to explore and discuss the intrinsic relationship shared by art and labour, challenging how artistic production and labour can disrupt the politics of the art object.

Artists: Alan Magee; Gordon Shrigley; Keh Ng; Matthew Stock; Mitra Saboury; Paul O’Kane; Rob Crosse; Warren Garland.

Art and Labour: The Game Show was a three-part, 30-minute show in which two teams were asked to imagine a world after art and labour — a world where nobody works, toils or suffers to make anything at all. Contestants were challenged to set the rules of this new art world, then collectively inhabit and compete within it. The show culminated with both teams of three players competing for the audience’s affection by making a collaborative live artwork.

Team One: Gordon Shrigley; Imogen O’Rorke; Charlotte Warne Thomas. Team Two: Liane Lang; Paul O’Kane; Mikey Wienkove.

Reboot: The Internet Channel released video content about art and labour throughout the weekend. Contributors were Kate Pickering, Charlotte Warne Thomas, Paul O’Kane, Carmen Billows, Keh Ng, Matthew Stock, Alan Magee, Tina Hage, Rob Crosse and Warren Garland.