I think I’ve seen this on Tumblr before, but it was awhile ago, and it’s making the rounds on Facebook again right now, and I think it’s important, so I’m going to repost it here.
This machine allows anyone to work for minimum wage for as long as they like. Turning the crank on the side releases one penny every 4.97 seconds, for a total of $7.25 per hour. This corresponds to minimum wage for a person in New York.This piece is brilliant on multiple levels, particularly as social commentary. Without a doubt, most people who started operating the machine for fun would quickly grow disheartened and stop when realizing just how little they’re earning by turning this mindless crank. A person would then conceivably realize that this is what nearly two million people in the United States do every day…at much harder jobs than turning a crank. This turns the piece into a simple, yet effective argument for raising the minimum wage.
“Williamsburg”, Lena Schmidt, 2012, marker, acrylic paint, enamel on wood, carved into wood (found object), 24,5 x 50 x 10 cm, photo: Christoph Schiffer
one more for you so you have a better overview. this is my work, Lena Schmidt, www.lenaschmidt.com
RERO (France) - Extra-Muros
A text exists only through the interaction that it creates with its interlocutor and/or the context in which it operates. RERO has established his work through his innovative approach to street art. Though introduced to the street through graffiti, working for a time under the name Aurer, he eventually felt limited by a spray can. He then began exploring imagery through the use of typography, while retaining the same values of graffiti. With his distinctive visual style, RERO often inhabits disused and dilapidated spaces to explore the concept of “negation of the image,” presenting minimalist statements that combat our modern overdose on images and messages. He achieves this through the use of words and phrases with a stark black line crossing them out. RERO is artist in Residence at Studio 13/16 of Centre Pompidou from April 13 to 21.
Five facts about reading:
Fact 1: Reading can make you a better conversationalist.
Fact 2: Neighbours will never complain that your book is too loud.
Fact 3: Knowledge by osmosis has not yet been perfected. You’d better read.
Fact 4: Books have stopped bullets - reading might save your life.
Fact 5: Dinosaurs didn’t read. Look what happened to them.
