Work is not only a politically explosive topic, but also an existentially charged one. It permeates cultural, religious, and social systems of interpretation – as at once a norm, a burden, a hope, and a structure. The exhibition focuses on the human struggle with gainful employment: its necessity, meaningfulness, reasonableness, and design. It also delves into invisible, unpaid, or underpaid activities – such as care work, housework, artistic creation, forms of protest, and even procrastination.

The show combines works from the Middle Ages to the present day to explore the personal and sociopolitical conditions of work. In addition to national and international loans and newly commissioned works, the exhibition also offers insights into the collections of Dom Museum Wien.

With artwork by Robert Adrian X, Iris Andraschek, Tabitha Arnold, Gerd Arntz, Jacopo da Ponte called Bassano, Willi Baumeister, KP Brehmer, Renate Eisenegger, Georg Eisler, Harun Farocki, Tine Fetz, Greta Freist, Birke Gorm, Robert Hammerstiel, Johann Hamza, Hauenschild Ritter, John Heartfield, Sofia Hultén, Anna Jermolaewa, Johanna Kandl, Anastasia Khoroshilova, Kiluanji Kia Henda, Max Klinger, Silvia Koller, Käthe Kollwitz, Auguste Kronheim, Arthur Kurtz, Hubert Lobnig, Nana Mandl, Luise Marchand, Luiza Margan, Tiago Mena Abrantes, Josef Mikl, Joiri Minaya, Fabeha Monir, Michael Neder, Lowell Nesbitt, Otto Neurath, Aeri Park, Margot Pilz, Inge Platzer, Marie Reidemeister, Lili Réthi, Isa Rosenberger, August Sander, Anna Schachinger, Beate Schachinger, Johann Caspar Schenck, Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld, See Red Women's Workshop, Klaus Staeck, Mladen Stilinović, Norbert Wagenbrett, Oliver Walker, Olga Wisinger-Florian, and historic artists whose names are not known.