Arts-based research on migrant workers supported by Labour Federation

On May 1st, the Icelandic Federation of Labour (ASÍ) awarded a grant for a project by four Polish creators; Anna Marjankowska (community and labour organiser), Maja Luxemberg (artist), Anna Pawłowska (designer) and Anna Maria Wojtyńska (researcher), which all have strong ties to the Icelandic labour market.

The project uses art-based research to explore and communicate about the conditions of migrant workers in Iceland's tourism and hospitality industry.

Inspired by a performance by Maja Luxunberg, a card game is being developed where players take roles of workers cleaning a hostel in a remote area of Iceland. The game is created to allow immersion in the life of an essential worker and a trigger for further discussion about working conditions, the labour market, and labour organizing. Art-based research allows for complimenting traditional anthropolitical approaches with more diverse ways of exploring and communicating about the subject, which is one of the subjects of Anna Wojtyńska's course Art as a Method for Anthropology.

The fund commomorates Eðvarð Sigurðsson, an Icelandic labour organiser, and supports research and publishing projects related to the Icelandic labour market, the interests of working people and the labour movement.

The project is hosted by East of Moon.