Arts and Culture

So, does capitalism work for Kelowna?

Interactive exhibit pushed people’s buttons

  • Brightly lit sign designed to force debate
  • Part of Living Things Festival

Just because it was a yes/no answer, doesn’t mean it was a simple question.

Pedestrians walking by the Rotary Centre for the Arts may have noticed an attention-grabbing sight last week: a large, brightly lit display saying ‘Capitalism, works for me!’

On either side was a tally representing true or false. In front of the display was a pedestal with a button for true, and one for false. Passer-by were encouraged to answer whether capitalism is working for them by hitting either button.

At the time Kelowna10 visited, the tally was 62 for true, 111 for false, with more people adding their vote.

“The point of it is actually not the data. Not to find out how many people vote true or false,” Neil Cadger, artist director of the Living Things Festival, told Kelowna10.

“It’s more about having a discussion about why that’s really difficult and in fact unrealistic to have it as one or the other.”

Part of the discussion may approach how there are various forms of capitalism or socialism, and which one may be better for our society.

The sign is the brainchild of American artist Steve Lambert. Similar signs have travelled throughout the U.S., Europe, and Australia.

“Steve Lambert is trying to get the conversation started in every social democratic culture,” Cadger said. “Because I think he sees this binary or this split that you’re either a pure unregulated capitalist and that’s what you want, or you are a communist.”

Cadger’s goal was to remain impartial. At times he would cite examples of the opposite viewpoint to a participant to engage their thought process.

For example, if someone were to hit ‘true,' he may ask about if capitalism is properly caring for the homeless or discuss the wealth disparity between billionaires and the average income.

Or if someone was about to hit ‘false,' Cadger may have asked them if they at least wanted the opportunity to afford luxuries if they work hard enough.

Part of the debate may have explored questions like; if our current system of capitalism does not work, is there a viable alternative?

Cadger asked strangers if we should embrace a system that Nordic countries like Denmark and Sweden implement. He said he lived in Belgium for years.

He admits his choice would be a button in the middle. However, that is a deliberate omission on the part of the artist to elicit debate.

Cadger is also an associate professor at UBCO in the faculty of creative and critical studies teaching performance creation.

The installation was part of the Living Things, International Arts Festival.

Published 2022-02-01 by David Hanson

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