Presented at Gertrude Contemporary, this artwork makes use of the gallery mop. Beyond its practical utility, the mop represents the often undervalued and invisible labour associated with cleaning and maintenance work. The mop is overlaid with a Marxist critique through the use of a towering shadowy image placed behind it. The shadow image is taken from Walt Disney's Fantasia, and is based on Goethe's "Der Zauberlehrling" [The Sorcerer's Apprentice] (1797). This serves as an allegory for Marx's view of capitalism which he likened to a form of sorcery, describing it as "the magic and necromancy that surrounds the products of labour. The work speaks to modes of production and the producer, who is controlled by the products of their labour, rather than the other way around.
NTRO Output Type
- Curated Exhibition, Event or Festival
NTRO Output Category
- Curated Exhibition, Event or Festival : Exhibition/event
Place
Melbourne, AustraliaVenue
Gertrude ContemporaryNTRO Publisher
Gertrude ContemporaryStart Date
2023-11-11End Date
2023-12-17Medium
mop, bucket and vinylResearch Statement
A mop, essential for cleaning, symbolizes undervalued labour and the invisible efforts of domestic workers. As a commodity, it embodies labour relations and alienation in capitalist economies. Its evolution reflects technological progress and changing cultural attitudes towards cleanliness and work.
The artwork's significance lies in encapsulating complex Marxist theories through familiar "Fantasia" imagery, making abstract concepts like alienation and commodity fetishism accessible. It bridges high theory and popular culture, educating viewers on Marxist thought and encouraging reflection on capitalism's impact on their lives.
The artwork recontextualizes Marxist critiques in a contemporary format, highlighting their relevance in analyzing today's economic systems and human relations. It uses cultural references to foster understanding and critique of capitalism's control and alienation, valuable for discussions on economic theory and labour rights.Size or Duration of Work
2.5m x 1.5m x 1.5mAffiliation
Narelle Desmond, University of Melbourne
