15.05.2008, at 6 p.m.

 

Despite general beliefs, physical work in world does not decrease. And neither does exploitation. Society, at least in global terms, does not transform into so called “knowledge society” or “society without classes” or “end of the work society”: it has stuck in chains of physical, slavish and alienated work. There was a period when the mainstream of Polish art took a turn in another direction, becoming distant from the problems of work, exploitation, class division and workers. Perhaps art of today is returning to these topics as it sadly turns out that they have preserved their social import.

Jarosław Urbański is a sociologist. In the 1980s he was activist of the illegal opposition and participant of the movement Freedom and Peace. Cofounder of the Anarchist Federation, cofounder and coordinator of the Polish National Trade Union “Workers’ Initiative”. Connected with the circles of Rozbrat squat in Poznań. Author of books and other writings concerning contemporary social problems.