Home / Art

10,000 Helmets Represent Lost Construction Jobs in Italy


In the last decade, the construction industry has taken a hard hit in Italy; so much so that several associations in the field of construction have sponsored a protest at the steps of the Milan Stock Exchange. According to the Center for Economic Research and Market Sociology, there has been a loss of 157,000 companies and 893,000 employees over the last five years. Due to these statistics and personally apparent losses, people have united on a day they've deemed La Giornata della Collera, which translates as The Day of Anger.

Last week, thousands of workers at different levels of the industry (from physical laborers to architects and real estate agents) joined forces to present a visually striking installation of 10,000 yellow construction helmets. The hard hats were laid in the public square to represent the jobs lost in 2012. At the center of the display stands a statue of a crude hand gesture–a severed hand giving the middle finger. The piece, which was erected in the piazza in 2010, is ironically titled L.O.V.E. by artist Maurizio Cattelan and seems to complement the peaceful protest exhibition. Together they demonstrate a powerfully wordless display of disappointment, frustration, and rage.








via [designboom, Assimpredil Ance]

Pinar

Pinar Noorata is the Managing Editor at My Modern Met. She is a writer, editor, and content creator based in Brooklyn, NY. She earned her BA in Film and Media Studies from CUNY Hunter College and is an alumni of the Center for Arts Education’s Career Development Program in NYC. She has worked at NBC Universal, Penguin Books, and the Tribeca Film Festival as well as many other independent media companies. When she isn’t writing, editing, or creating videos herself, Pinar enjoys watching movies—anything from foreign art house films to mainstream blockbusters.
Become a
My Modern Met Member
As a member, you'll join us in our effort to support the arts.
Become a Member
Explore member benefits

Sponsored Content