Maria Eichhorn
Work/Leisure
Generali Versicherung, Landesdirektion Ost, Berlin, Germany

After a longer preparatory phase, the realization of the project began on February 24, 1995, at a specially convened staff meeting of Generali Versicherung, Landesdirektion (LD) Ost in Berlin. Present were Sabine Breitwieser, head of the Generali Foundation, Vienna, and 40 employees. The purpose of the staff meeting was to explain the project in detail, clarify open questions and reduce reservations. Finally, all 58 employees were informed about the project in individual meetings over the next few weeks. The subject of the project is the examination of the work/leisure complex and the individual relationship to it, as well as an exhibition with the participation of all employees. Questionnaires were distributed, and the answers were treated confidentially. Some questionnaires were returned completed on the same day. Within 14 days, 23 written suggestions were received. Another 26 suggestions were made in individual interviews. By the end of June 1995, a total of 49 proposals had been received for the project. On March 12, 1996, during a second works meeting, the presentation of all exhibition contributions and a model of the exhibition showcase took place. Present were Sabine Breitwieser, Winfried Böttcher, director of LD Ost, and half of the staff. The further course of the project was discussed. To clarify ownership, a list of all exhibits was compiled and marked by the staff as "permanent loan", "gift" or "object of purchase". 22 contributions are gifts, 12 contributions were purchased, and 15 contributions are on permanent loan. Contributions marked "gift" or "object of purchase" are thus the property of Generali. Contributions marked "permanent loan" remain the property of the employees; they are made available temporarily for the exhibition. 47 contributions are exhibited in a cylindrical display case. Two contributions (aquarium, plant) are presented separately. The showcase (height 220 cm) consists of the following individual parts: Bottom and top shelves with radially milled groove for sliding doors, four display case shelves, five core parts, four double-sided frames, four ball pull-out rails, four cylindrically curved sliding doors made of Plexiglas and 36 halogen spotlights. The display case can be assembled/disassembled with all individual parts using the plug-in system. The showcase shelves (ø 160 cm) are made of 30 mm multiplex/beech with milled cable channels for the lighting, guide groove for the center core and a cross-shaped cut-out for mobile picture frames. The frames are attached to the top of the display case with ball pull-out rails and can be pulled out. They contain photos, drawings, notes, plans, etc.; the objects stand on the showcase shelves.

The showcase core (ø 50 cm) consists of five individual parts, each of which is stabilized on the inside by two round discs and a cross-shaped support structure. The display case is illuminated by 36 low-voltage halogen spotlights, which are fed via a toroidal transformer. The transformer and a receiver unit for on-off control via a radio link are located on the display case. The doors are made of cylindrically curved Plexiglas XT and can be slid open or closed in a ball bearing guide. In September and October 1996 Annett Gröschner and Helmut Höge conducted interviews with the project participants and wrote short portraits for the publication. The project Work/Leisure contains the contributions of the participants, a publication with text contributions and the exhibition display. (Maria Eichhorn)

1 How do you define the term work?

2 How do you define the term leisure?

3 What does work or leisure mean to you?

4 Is free time the time when you (can) be lazy?

5 How do you spend your free time?

6 How do you spend your working time?

7 Do you think the number of vacation days you have is sufficient?

8 Do you see weekends as something positive?

9 Would you find time without work too long (boring), or do you actually always lack time to devote to your interests?

10 Are you still taken up by others (parents, children, etc.) in your free time (after work/weekends/holidays), or is this time only available to you?

11 Do you know the feeling of boredom?

12 What do you like to do?

13 Do you like to be served, or do you prefer to serve others?

14 Would you join a (socially, politically) engaged group?

15 Is there something you always (would like to) have near/around you?

16 Is there something you wish you had but don't (for some reason)?

17 Do you have a lucky charm/talisman?

18 Do you have a lucky number, color, day and month?

19 Do you like to be in company, or do you prefer to do things alone?

20 When you see something you like, do you want it badly, or do you soon forget about it?

21 Do you tend to spend your money on material things, such as clothes, or would you rather spend it on travel, food, etc.?

22 Do you have certain preferences (fashion, furniture, etc.)?

23 Do you take a stand in conversations (political, general social), do you express your own opinion, or are you more of a silent observer or listener?

24 If there is something that could represent you as a personality, it would be a ...

25 Do you collect anything?

26 Do you travel abroad? If so, which country/language do you prefer?

27 What is your dream job?

28 What did you want to be when you were a child?

29 Is there anything that others say you are particularly good at?

30 Does this opinion coincide with your own, or are there hidden abilities in you that only you know about?

31 Do you believe in talent, or is creativity based on personal interest in the subject matter?

32 Items/objects are being collected from all employees for the Work/Leisure exhibition. What do you suggest for the exhibition?

For the work/leisure project, objects can be proposed that were created in everyday life, during working hours or during leisure time. The items/objects may have been found, purchased, made by yourself or by others. All items/objects are to be collected, cataloged and permanently displayed in the foyer of Generali LD East.