Discover "Work": An Exhibition on Labor, Technology, and Society at Technisches Museum Wien

This exhibition explores the multifaceted nature of work, examining its evolution since the Industrial Revolution. It delves into the technical, spatial, social, and personal aspects of labor, as well as future predictions and technological advancements like 3D printing.

The exhibition "Work" at the Technisches Museum Wien delves into the profound phenomenon of work, defined as conscious action to satisfy needs and pursue a meaningful life. It traces the dramatic changes in the nature of work since the Industrial Revolution approximately 250 years ago, highlighting its increasing complexity. The first part of the exhibition focuses on key areas, including the technical aspects of handling devices and machines, the spatial dimensions of workshops and the wider world, the social hierarchies within businesses and society, and the physical, mental, and emotional demands of labor. The second part looks towards the future, exploring past utopias of work and production, current predictions, and advancements in sensor technology and both analogue and digital principles. It uses examples of changing professions throughout history and new additive manufacturing techniques like 3D printing to illustrate long-term developments. Furthermore, the exhibition aims to clearly explain the concepts of "natural" and "artificial" and showcase a range of existing and novel materials, with a dedicated section on "makers" serving as a transition to the museum’s techLAB.