Maps & Networks 1 (Idea and Research)

Initial Idea 

Inequality on basis of economic conditions amongst society has been my favorite subject. It is so because economics has been my subjects in intermediate and sufferings of peoples due to their poor financial condition appeal me very much and I think economics has been most moulding factor to change the fate of nations in the history. I have worked on the topic before, and my interest has further grown due to the recent economic conditions in my country. 

This work falls into the category of Maps & Networks. It is so because this assignment is based on my personal experience and practice. Though it is one of the common thought but is all versed with my own points of view and self experience and opinions. With my abstract installation, I aim to convey the various aspects of capitalism and paint a true picture of the system. The system in which the bourgeois makes money off the backs of the proletariat without giving them much in return. The system of oppression is further perpetuated through alienation and class unconsciousness.


Research

I come from a middleclass family but looking at the suffering of the people from the working class including some family, made me feel un easy and perflix. My previous idea was based on an article I read which said money has no value as compared to the labour used to earn it. However, I decided against it as I feel my current idea is more personal and aligned with me and my views.

On other hand, I am deeply fascinated with the subject of economics and to further strengthen my idea, I've studied Karl Marx, Friedrich Engels and Antonio Gramci. Marx’s and Engels’ views on the evils of capitalism interested me and gave me further knowledge to executer my idea.

In the Communist Manifesto, Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels describe the emergence of a new industrial society and the unequal relations between its social classes. They believed that this inequality would create animosity between the two most important classes, the ruling or (bourgeois), which possesses the "means of production", and between the working class or (proletariat), which must work only enrich the bourgeoisie.

The modern working class survives only as long as they are employed. These workers are treated as commodities, like every other object’s of trade as opposed to living individuals. Due to the widespread use of machines and the division of labor, the work of the proletariat has lost all individual character and, consequently, all appeal to the worker. But with the development of industry, the proletariat not only grows in numbers, but becomes more and more concentrated in the masses, increases its power and realizes it even more.

The constant improvement of the machines, with each rapid development, makes their life even more uncertain. The workers then begin to unionise to ensure they are not cheated in wages or benefits

Karl Marx says “The Communists everywhere support every revolutionary movement against the existing social and political order of things. Let the ruling classes tremble at a communistic revolution. The proletarians have nothing to lose but their chains. They have a world to win”.


Inspiration Images: 







These are some images from which I'm taking inspiration for my installation work.



Personal thoughts

As mentioned earlier, economic inequality in society has been a topic of interest for me as I come from a middle-class family and most of them belong to the working group.

Despite their hard and endless labour, their income is very low and it is difficult for them to provide good food, good education and proper shelter for their children. Although this work will enrich my knowledge and will be an asset to me in the future, I aim to also convey this message to the audiences for their understanding of the exploitative system.

I personally feel an installation the best way for me to convey the message to my audience, as any other medium would not have allowed me to execute the concept in an impactful manner.





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