Latent Segment 

Description:

The “Latent Segment” project allows the public to view the work from various perspectives. The build-up shows on one side the aesthetics of a normal exhibition, with exhibits on the wall, set up in a clean way, with a commercial intent. On the other side of the construction the replicas of sub-optimal homes will be presented. The initial sight of the exhibition will hide the “behind the wall perspective”, letting the public look at artworks produced for this exhibition. The artworks, presented in the initial view, are subtly leading towards the second view behind the walls. The public can walk around the construction, finding themselves exposed to the cramped living spaces. During the opening evening, a performance will take place, where three performers will switch places in between the living quarters, coming always with luggage that they unpack. They each stay in the living quarters for a short period of time before they pack again and move to the next living quarter. 

In total there will be three replicas of the living quarters. In the upper part of the Arthotek there will be three telescopes attached to the handrail of the balcony, inviting the public to see the performers and the quarters from above and afar, suggesting a dissociating effect that leads to a panopticon of observation rather than involvement. At the end of the balcony, in the upper part, an office will be set up, where the performers will try to apply for an apartment just to have papers thrown at them. They will pick up the papers and go back in the cycle of living in makeshift quarters.  The set up of the installation as well as the performance resembling visiting a zoo, will place the public in a position of distant uninvolved observation at first, but then slowly pushing them further in the middle of the situation while viewing how human beings are dehumanized. During the performance, environmental sounds will be added to the installation like for example chatter in between people in the households, appliances like fans, mixers, fridges, stoves etc. to reinforce the difficult situation presented. Different specific smells of cooking different foods, can also play an important role, creating the atmosphere of something that smells like an idea of a home.

Idea:

“Latent Segment” is portraying replicas of the living quarters of people living in poor conditions – for example migrant workers. The work serves as a commentary on social inequality, exploitation, and the systemic forces that lead to suboptimal living conditions for vulnerable populations. Small, windowless rooms, exposed wiring, and minimal personal belongings, each detail replicating the oppressive atmosphere that defines their existence. Contrasting these suboptimal living quarters, the artwork will also show the lush polished white cube situation of art exhibitions as a social event such as an opening of an exhibition. By exposing struggles that are invisible to us by recreating the cramped, dilapidated living spaces of i.e. migrant workers the work brings attention to the hidden realities that people in a difficult situation face daily. For example, many migrant laborers live in harsh conditions, often unseen by the public, and this work forces viewers to confront the stark contrast between their lives and the marginalised society. It strips away the anonymity of these living conditions and makes visible the human cost of global labour dynamics.

Finding an apartment often becomes a dehumanising experience. Selection criteria need to be strictly met to even be considered for an apartment. In many cases the applicants already have a credit, or a negative balance with a bank. Any missed payments, like for example a phone bill not paid on time, leads to a negative rating by a credit bureau that is taken into consideration and subsequently places applicants with less than 100% positive results to the bottom of the application pile. For migrant workers and people staying for a limited time in one place, therefore there is often no other place to stay other than the one given by the employer. Finding a place to live is prone to discrimination in many ways, not only towards migrant workers working e.g. in agriculture, mass production, caregiving, or fulfilment centres. Also artists, self-employed or freelance workers, and people with migration background often do not meet the expectations of landlords offering housing. This sometimes forces people to find alternative living spaces in which only the essential things for living can fit in. Low ceilings, no storage spaces, one-room that is meant for all activities: sleeping, cooking, eating, washing, are only a few aspects on a long list that makes people feel psychologically small and isolating them due to this imperil situation and a sense of displacement. In these situations, one questions essential life values and what are the basic needs and necessities for a place to be called home.

For migrant workers often the conditions that they need to live in are dehumanising, like sharing overcrowded living or sharing the same small, cramped and uncomfortable house or make-shift apartments. Language barriers also play an alienating and socially isolating role to these communities of migrant workers, forcing them to function only within their closed community. With a meagre income and having to support their families back home, these workers are left with little room for social activities outside of their confined quarters, which results in lack of communal integration with society at large. 

Performers: Rabea Chatha, Markus Henschler, Emma Rüther

Links:

• Annoucement on Website of artothek Köln

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