Chrysler is holding an event to indicate its creative side, and we’re not talking about an automobile show here. We’re talking about the company showing the art work of the employees within a private art exhibition. This is actually the Chrysler 2013-2104 Artists at the office Exhibition. This art show features 92 works by 50 of its employees. These employees receive salaries from Chrysler and are also labor union members. It is thus considered by Chrysler to be co-sponsored both by the company and the union, and the company says that the event is the only juried art show of the kind.
The works shown in the exhibition were selected from a lot more than 600 submissions. These were distilled down to existing 92 by 4 professional Detroit-based artists. These same individuals awarded “Best of Show” prizes to 3 of the artist-employees. The Artist-jurors also awarded honorable mentions to 11 other employees.
Who were the lucky “best in show” winners? First prize went to Joseph Aiuto for a sculptural piece entitled “Childhood Anxiety.” The piece has two large, gear like wheels installed on an axis of some type, with traditional house radiator sides, and many other interesting mechanical pieces and bits. According to Aiuto, a few of these are salvaged John Deere parts among others came from a kids’ erector set. The task plays with themes of childhood constructive and creative urges which could also breed either anxiety or excitement, possibly depending on how one responds to them.
In second place was a painting by Shannon Jones entitled “Convergence.” This shows a welder at work. He wears amask and gloves, and welding coat. The worker is anonymous looking yet surreally clothed and illumined. Clearly the literal action of the painting is a metaphor for convergence, connection, and make contact with in a more general sense.
A composite photograph by Shan Haq took third place. The photograph places the viewer behind the wheel of a Jeep Wrangler, looking throughout the windshield with a Chrysler employee charity event. The point is simple and direct – Chrysler employees are not just drones. They are socially conscious, politically engaged, intelligent, and keen about a variety world issues.
Here is the ninth occurrence of this exhibition. The first Artists at Work show took place in 1999. Since that time, more than 1,100 functions by 536 employees have been featured. The show is unfortunately not available to the public, but many of the works are viewable online. Chrysler is to be commended for this innovative and encouraging salute on the deeper dimensionalities of its employees.
