Maria Eichhorn. Labor/Leisure Time Arbeit/Freizeit

In contrast to the Kunst-am-Bau (art-in-architecture) commissions that flourished in the new state capital in the 1990s, this project by Maria Eichhorn for the former Generali Versicherung Landesdirektion Ost in Berlin took a different approach. Instead of focusing on the building and its surfaces to be decorated with art, it was geared towards the staff. In response to my invitation to create a concept for the artistic design of the building, the artist suggested organizing an exhibition of the staff in the company building and thus encouraging the workforce to engage with the thematic area of work/leisure.

Eichhorn’s project was not about people in their identity as workers, but in their interaction with the area of leisure. Long a by-product of working time, leisure time has become increasingly important and has long been recognized as an economic factor, which in turn means work. The project was implemented in several stages with the participation of around sixty employees. First, the project was presented at a works meeting and the workforce was invited to take part. A questionnaire was designed to help participants describe their individual relationship to the topic. Based on this, as well as individual in-depth conversations and group discussions, they were able to suggest objects for an exhibition in the company building that were “created in everyday life, during working hours or in their free time.” The objects could have been “found, bought, made by themselves or by others.”[1] 

Maria Eichhorn designed a large cylindric display case, which was set up in the lobby to present the exhibits. An aquarium and a plant, which were also proposed, were added and required ongoing maintenance. The accompanying artist publication completed the project with illustrations of the contributions and short portraits of the participants as well as various texts on the topic. The project Work/Leisure comprises the contributions of the participants, the publication with text contributions and the exhibition display.

[1] From the questionnaire In Breitwieser, Sabine (ed.). Maria Eichhorn. Arbeit/Freizeit.
Generali Foundation, Vienna 1996.