¶¡ÏãÔ°AV

MENU

Symposium: Art, Labour, and the Future of Work

2018, Future of Work, Summit Brave New Work, Arts + Culture

One of the key distinguishing features of Western modernity is the image of the human being as animal laborans. That is to say that the distinctive activity of labour has always been at the heart of Western humanity’s self-understanding. Work defines who we are.

Now, in the midst of catastrophic climate change and on the verge of massive automation of work that, some sociologists tell us, will lead to the elimination of 80% of the jobs that currently exist, it is necessary to imagine a post-work future. Will such a future afford the possibility of a utopic transition toward labour that resembles play? Or, does a more dystopian future await, in which ever larger portions of the population are reduced to a condition of animality, deemed surplus and, therefore, disposable?

During a two-day symposium presented by ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV’s Institute for the Humanities, artists and philosophers will attempt to understand these questions and more:

  • What role does art and aesthetics play in thinking about the future of labour?
  • What is the relationship between labour and the aesthetic forces of production?
  • How does the artwork exemplify the collapse of people and things in the social replication of work while simultaneously posing an excess and even a form of interruption and autonomy?
  • Will automation in the realm of production further diminish, or will it bolster the dignity accorded to the sensuous realm of social reproduction and emotional labour? 

This is a free event, and no registration is required. All are welcome.

Sat, 03 Mar 2018

9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. (PT)

Sun, 04 Mar 2018

12:00 - 4:00 p.m. (PT)

580 West Hastings St., Vancouver
Room 470

 

About Brave New Work

The 2018 Community Summit, Brave New Work, invites us to consider how can we all thrive in the changing world of work.

Technological growth is happening at an unprecedented rate and scale, and it is fundamentally altering the way we organize and value work. The work we do (and how we do it) is changing. One of the biggest challenges in effectively responding to this new world of work is creating a shared understanding of the issues at play and how they intersect. Individuals, businesses, governments, educational institutions, and civil society must collaborate to construct the future we want.

Learn More

Sessions

Saturday, March 3

Producer as Author

Chair: Jeff Derksen, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV. Talks by Mark Nowak (the Worker Writers School), Alessandra Capperdoni (¶¡ÏãÔ°AV).

Free Associations

Chair: Samir Gandesha, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV. Talks by Johan Hartle (University of Amsterdam), Duane Fontaine (¶¡ÏãÔ°AV), Philip Wohlstetter (Invisible Seattle).

The Aesthetic Politics of Hegemony

Chair: Am Johal, ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV's Vancity Office of Community Engagement. Talk by Samir Gandesha (¶¡ÏãÔ°AV).

Social Reproduction and Autonomy in Art

Chair: Sanem Guvenc-Salgirli, Emily Carr University. Talk by Jaleh Mansoor (UBC).

Sunday, March 4

Aesthetics, Politics and Materialization

Chair: Jaleh Mansoor, UBC. Talk by Anita Chari (University of Oregon).

Watch

Brave New Work | Trailer

Reports and Resources

Supporters and Partners

Brave New Work Events

  • Building Your Resilience

    2018, Future of Work, Summit Brave New Work

    Being a university student can be stressful. This interactive event will share key strategies for enhancing your resilience and well-being, that will support your success now and in your future career.

    Read More →

  • Beyond Bitcoin: Blockchain and the Future of Work

    2018, Future of Work, Summit Brave New Work, Economy

    Blockchain technology is making headlines. Enthusiastic or skeptic, the focus of this dialogue will be to better understand key concepts and to explore the wide-ranging applications of distributed ledgers and the implications for business here in BC and in the global economy.

    Read More →

  • Preparing Students for the Future World of Work

    2018, Future of Work, Summit Brave New Work

    This event, hosted by CACEE Canada West and ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Career and Volunteer Services, will feature presentations and discussions on how post-secondary institutions can prepare students for the future of work.

    Read More →

  • Work and Purpose Later in Life

    2018, Future of Work, Summit Brave New Work

    How is the changing world of work affecting older adults? And what role should work play in our lives, anyway? This special Philosophers' Cafe will address questions of retirement, purpose, and work for older adults.

    Read More →

  • Creating a Diverse & Resilient Economy in Metro Vancouver

    2018, Future of Work, Summit Brave New Work, Cities, Economy

    This panel conversation event will focus on the future of employment in Metro Vancouver, and planning for the employment lands that support the regional economy. What are the trends and issues related to employment in various sectors in Metro Vancouver, and how does land use planning, regulation, and market demand affect the future of work regionally?

    Read More →

  • Worker Writers and the Poetics of Labour

    2018, Future of Work, Summit Brave New Work, Arts + Culture

    If you gave a worker a pen, what would they write? What stories would they tell, and what experiences might they share? Hear poetry about what it is to work in the 21st century directly from participants of the Worker Writers School at this free public poetry reading.

    Read More →

  • Symposium: Art, Labour, and the Future of Work

    2018, Future of Work, Summit Brave New Work, Arts + Culture

    One of the key distinguishing features of Western modernity is that the activity of labour has always been at the heart of our self-understanding. Work defines who we are. But what might we do in a world without work? Join ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV's Institute for the Humanities for a symposium on art, aesthetics, and self-understanding.

    Read More →

  • Climate of Work: How Does Climate Change Affect the Future of Work

    2018, Future of Work, Summit Brave New Work, Climate + Environment

    What does our changing climate have to do with the future of work? Join Embark as they explore the ways our climate impacts different industries such as planning, communications or entrepreneurship.

    Read More →

  • Making Visible the Invisible | City Conversations

    2018, Future of Work, Summit Brave New Work, Equity + Justice, Series City Conversations

    Are outdated and stereotypical gender roles contributing to the invisible workload? What is the invisible workload anyway? Don't miss this special edition of ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV City Conversations on intersectionality and invisible labour, presented in partnership with the Simon Fraser Student Society Women's Centre.

    Read More →

  • The Urban Worker Project Skillshare

    2018, Future of Work, Summit Brave New Work

    The Urban Worker Project Skillshare is a day-long gathering, bringing together over 150 independent workers to lean on each other, learn from each other, get valuable expert advice, and build community.

    Read More →

  • The New World of Work: Thriving or Surviving?

    Media + Information, 2018, Economy, Future of Work, Democracy, Summit Brave New Work

    Van Jones and Anne-Marie Slaughter, two leading commentators on the American economy, will discuss the role that citizens, governments and civil society can play in shaping the future of work.They will explore the challenges ahead, as well as how these challenges might be addressed through green jobs, emergent industries, education and public policy

    Read More →

  • Work in the 21st Century: Innovations in Research

    2018, Economy, Future of Work, Summit Brave New Work, Education + Research

    Research doesn’t just live in libraries and academic papers; it has a profound impact on our day to day lives. Work in the 21st Century is a dynamic evening that showcases the ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV researchers and entrepreneurs who are leading the way in making innovative impacts in the new world of work.

    Read More →

  • ReframeWork: From Insights to Action!

    2018, Future of Work, Summit Brave New Work

    ReframeWork is a national gathering of leading thinkers and innovators on the topic of Future of Work. We will explore how Canada can lead in forming new systems for good work and identify the richest areas of opportunity for solution-building that affects broader change.

    Read More →

  • Basic Income: Progressive Hopes and Neoliberal Realities

    2018, Economy, Future of Work, Summit Brave New Work, Education + Research

    This lecture will examine the question of basic income (BI). A neoliberal version of BI is being considered and even developed by a number of governments and institutions of global capitalism. This form of BI could enhance the supply of low-wage precarious workers, by offering a public subsidy to employers, paid for by cuts to other areas of social provision.

    Read More →

  • The Future of Work in Canada: Emerging Trends and Opportunities

    2018, Economy, Future of Work, Summit Brave New Work

    What are some of the trends currently defining the new world of work in Canada, and what does our future look like? What opportunities can be seized to build more competitive, prosperous, and inclusive organizations?

    Read More →