How to be an Exemplary Human

“How to be an Exemplary Human” is an exploration of the intangible work that surrounds work but in and of itself gets nothing done - time management and monitoring within today’s fast-paced society.

In this project, Ziegi Boss presents her experience in productivity self-optimization, displaying graphics, metrics and time tracking showing her activities every minute, 24/7, for a 5 day workweek, along with lists and schedules showing active task and time planning and reviewing processes. It combines self-monitoring, surveillance and data collection through digital software and apps, and externalizes self-management processes which normally remain largely internal or virtual, and thus intangible in their scope. This installation seeks to explore how the contemporary worker must contort themselves to fit an environment increasingly alienating from natural rhythms and processes. Boss also aims to consider the implications of a culture in which work has come to colonize an ever increasing territory of our time, attention, sense of self, and collective consciousness. At the same time, this installation flattens all activities to the dimension of productivity metrics, and omits the aspects of lived experience that separate humans from machines.

Installation

Part of We Can't Afford (not) to be Artists, group art exhibition

Organised by VCAS - Vienna Contemporary Art Space
February 29 - March 2, 2024

Materials: Time and task management / monitoring data printed on A4 paper, index cards, sticky notes and yarn on wall
2024