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One of the main pieces of work I am developing through this project is PUNCHCARD ECONOMY – a commission for FACT Liverpool:

“Punchcard Economy is a project by artist Sam Meech using data collected from people working in the digital, creative and cultural industries to create a translation of the 888 movement banner. The final work will be produced on a domestic knitting machine using a combination of digital imaging tools and traditional punchcard systems to produce the design. The work will be shown as part of the upcoming Time and Motion exhibition in December 2013 at FACT Liverpool.”

Reinterpreting the heritage of NW textile industry, whilst documenting the current experience of the freelance creative, Punchcard Economy will comprise of a machine-knitted banner based on the ‘8 hours labour, 8 hours recreation, 8 hours rest’ slogan coined by Robert Owen of the Eight Hour Day movement. The design will incorporate data collected from a range of ‘workers’ in the digital, creative and cultural industries, auditing contemporary working patterns within the digital economy, and revealing the shift from Owens’ ‘888’ ideal. The final work is produced on a domestic knitting machine using a combination of digital imaging tools and traditional punchcard systems.

You can take part in the development of Punchcard Economy by collecting a punchcard from the the gallery, or by logging your working hours at www.punchcardeconomy.co.uk

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