Gig Economy Class

The artwork under consideration is a chessboard featuring a white queen, white king, and 24 black pawns, with no opposing army or enemy present. This piece serves as a poignant metaphor for the modern gig economy, which many argue is a new form of feudalism, where workers are disempowered and reduced to serving the whims of the powerful.

One possible point of reference for this artwork is the history of chess itself, which was once a game played exclusively by the ruling classes. Like the workers of the gig economy, the pawns in this artwork are largely powerless and expendable, while the white king and queen represent the elite who hold all the power and privilege.

Another possible influence is the tradition of political art, which seeks to use imagery and symbolism to critique social and political systems. By presenting a game of chess without any opponents, the artist draws attention to the inherent power imbalance in the gig economy and invites us to question the ways in which workers are often treated as disposable commodities.

On the whole, this artwork challenges us to consider the ways in which modern forms of labor exploitation are similar to historical forms of feudalism and encourages us to seek out new models of work and economic organization that prioritize dignity, fairness, and justice for all.

Archibald Cholmondeley , Art Critic