Welcome to The Sweatshop
Installation
This project is about modern day child slavery in China’s toy factories.
Explore the fictional teddy bear sweatshop—created using actual evidence and reports.
Exhibit A ~ Paper bears
Exhibit B ~ The paper bear factory manufactures the bears one order at a time.
The workers must fold each part of the bear in 7.2 seconds— 4000 parts a day
The workers must fold each part of the bear in 7.2 seconds— 4000 parts a day
Exhibit C ~ Work tools used by the children: latex gloves, scissors, glue and a cutting knife
Exhibit D ~ Visual reports from the paper bear factory
Exhibit E ~ Child labor working hours report
It’s clear from the report that the child workers spent 14.5 hours per day in the factory (plus overtime), broken down into 12 hours of work and 2.5 hours of rest. Oftentimes the workers were forced to stay until 2:00 am because of the demand. Laborers normally work seven days a week with only Sunday night off. They are only allowed one day off a month.
It’s clear from the report that the child workers spent 14.5 hours per day in the factory (plus overtime), broken down into 12 hours of work and 2.5 hours of rest. Oftentimes the workers were forced to stay until 2:00 am because of the demand. Laborers normally work seven days a week with only Sunday night off. They are only allowed one day off a month.
Exhibit F.1 ~ Child labor in a China toy factory
Exhibit F.2 ~ Child labor in a China toy factory
Exhibit G ~ Child labor watch ~ May 2011
Hand injuries in a China toy factory
Hand injuries in a China toy factory
Exhibit H ~ Child labor watch ~ January 2010
Kidnap Case
Kidnap Case
Exhibit I ~ Child labor watch ~ June 2011
Death in the factory
Death in the factory
Exhibit J.1 ~ Paper bears' D.N.A
Exhibit J.2 ~ Paper bears' D.N.A
Exhibit J.3 ~ Paper bears' D.N.A
WELCOME TO THE TEDDY BEAR SWEATSHOP
3D paper design, illustration, digital collage and sculpture
3D paper bears: size: 30x50cm; Edition of 10