elektro teufl & co gmbh purgstall

Moussa Kone's work elektro teufl & co gmbh purgstall focuses on the individual production steps in a company that is specialized on the manufacture of power distribution cabinets. There, the artist observed activities "from the head office and administration to metal working, coating, electrical engineering, delivery", namely "throughout the day, from meetings and smoking breaks to the beer in the evening" (Kone). One hand carries a pair of scissors, another one a chisel. Someone is operating a keyboard, another person is apparently mounting a part on a machine. In the drawing, the artist clearly highlights the hands from the objects they are dealing with. If one takes a step back from the drawing and focuses on them, one could see some kind of hand signals - gestures of screwing, pointing, holding, pressing, cutting.

At the same time individual actions seem to be isolated from the people who perform them: the artist leaves open who or what stands behind them, but all appear to be of equal value and free of hierarchy, the "boss gesture" (Kone) stands next to the hands of the mechanic, his or her hands next to those of the secretary.

Quoted from Nina Schedlmayer (ed.): Arbeit Leben Kunst (Niederösterreich Gesellschaft für Kunst und Kultur, St. Pölten, 2019, p.30-33). Translated from German.

The site-specific drawings were printed in silkscreen technique on coated metal - which is the typical production material used in this company. All works are installed in the company's new building.