en/it
Program
Werker Collective MORE
Working Title
Film Night
Taking inspiration from Der Vereinigung der Arbeiter-Fotografen (the association of worker photographers), a group of politicized photo-clubs that emerged in Germany in the 1920s, WERKER follows in the footsteps of the first socialist photography experiments in the USSR, which extended to Europe, the United States, and Japan. Their methods revolved around self-representation, image critique, self-publishing, collective authorship, and counter-archiving.
Working Title
Film Night
Taking inspiration from Der Vereinigung der Arbeiter-Fotografen (the association of worker photographers), a group of politicized photo-clubs that emerged in Germany in the 1920s, WERKER follows in the footsteps of the first socialist photography experiments in the USSR, which extended to Europe, the United States, and Japan. Their methods revolved around self-representation, image critique, self-publishing, collective authorship, and counter-archiving.
Under the name WERKER Collective we organise study groups, cine-clubs, self-publishing and counter-archive workshops, producing media from below with cultural workers, students, self-organized unions, activist groups and grassroots organisations in affinity. These workshops are weaving an intersectional network of allies, reactivating oppressed histories, and investigate worker solidarity through collaborative artistic practice.
WERKER Archief is our home base, rooted in the Nieuwmarkt neighborhood of Amsterdam, it comprises over 3000 documents, (photo)books, posters, pamphlets, movies, textiles and paraphernalia. These documents originate from secondhand books and flea markets, are donated by friends and comrades, or are produced during our practice and collaborations. The archive's mission is to make publications produced by local and international social movements accessible in the city centre of Amsterdam.
Since its foundation, WERKER has collaborated with numerous artists, activists, researchers, and unions on various projects in schools, museums, archives and community centres. Some of these collaborations include: Activestills, Ariella Aïsha Azoulay, Casco Art Institute, CCPPO (Groupes Medvedkine), Centro de Arte 2 de Mayo, Der Arbeiter-Fotograf, Dutch Art Institute, Georgy Mamedov, International Institute of Social History, Jo Spence Memorial Archive, Manifesta Biennial, Silvia Federici, MayDay Rooms, Mokum Kraakt, Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona, Niet te Koop, Photography Workshop, Rijksakademie van Beeldende Kunsten, Sindillar: Sindicato de Trabajadoras del Hogar y los Cuidados, Susoespai: Creació i Salut Mental, Stedelijk Museum, Steve Edwards, Sonsbeek, Tate Modern, The Showroom, The Voice of Domestic Workers, and We Are Here.