The Paradox of Labour is cancelled since the recent developments with coronavirus covid-19. The event will be rescheduled for a later date. In the meanwhile be safe and take care of others in this time of solidarity.

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On 18th of March from 5 to 7 pm you are welcome to join us for Adrian Melis’s film screening of Night Watch (2005), The making of forty rectangular pieces for a floor construction (2008),  Surplus Production Line (2015), and Engagement Rate Formula (2019), followed by a talk.

Inspired by this constant yet futile mobilisation of mass labour and fixation on output Cuban artist Adrian Melis createsabsurd production lines formed through a bizarre set of tasks. Often some of which correspond to real-life tasks present within socialist and capitalist systems. In each case a final object is produced, at times useless, but always potent in ideological meaning.

His practice has been always influenced by Fidel Castro’s schemes for economic growth. Intricate and often absurd, these experiments — orchestrated by a figure that could only be described as a mad scientist — failed disastrously, each time further dismantling the country’s vulnerable economy.Throughout,Melis’s workpsychopolitical realities are addressed and how they are shaped by socialist and capitalist labour markets, systemic political and corporate corruption, political apathy and bureaucratic inefficiency.

Adrian Melis (b.1985) graduated from the University of Arts (ISA), Havana, in 2010. Prior to that, he had participated in the Cátedra Arte de Conducta directed by Tania Bruguera (2006-2008). He was also resident at the Rijksakademie van Beeldende Kunsten, Amsterdam (2014-2015). He is currently based in Barcelona.

This Publics event is realised in collaboration with ADN Galeria and Pori Art Museum, where Adrian Melis’s solo exhibition, titled 2768. 23,53. 8. 1958. 57%. 1000 will be available on 20.03.2020 – 30.08.2020.