Business or pleasurE?

2024, exhibition at Form/ Designcenter. Curated, and by me and Maria O’Brian. Exhibition design by me.

We argue that good art and design at its core are passion driven endeavors. Many of us practitioners choose this career because of the deep joy it brings us when we are in a creative flow. It’s irresistible. But artistic work is often undervalued — we are doing it for fun, right?

The creative process is hard to measure in units and doesn’t fit into conventional business models. Scaleability, growth and quickness isn’t always the point!

In response to these reflections, eight artists and designers were invited to contribute with works relating to the theme of business and/or pleasure.

The exhibition explores various facets of the subject, including what it means to maintain a work life balance or what it would mean if the state of happiness would influence the value of a currency.

Through diverse interpretations, the exhibition invites visitors to consider how business and pleasure interact in the creative process and whether a harmonious balance is possible.

The exhibition room was designed to look like an office cubicle or reception desk and clad in blue needle felt carpet. The exhibition and art work texts were handwritten on post it colored walls and signs.