The 1138 installation is a spatial embodiment of a 2018 performance in which I manually printed 1,138 linocut graphics in a single day using traditional linocut techniques. The performance lasted over 23 hours and served as a reference to the inhumane working conditions of people employed in the textile industry. I printed using synthetic ink with only minimal breaks to adhere to the “set standards.” In reality, this meant 22 hours of pure work and 1 hour of unconsciousness.
Transforming the performance into an installation
To allow this artwork to travel and spread the message it conveys, it had to be transformed into a portable installation. The installation functions as a mausoleum of victims, illustrating the sheer scale of what the number 1,138 represents.
Numbers of victims, as well as other statistics, are often abstract concepts that we struggle to visualize. This installation enables visitors to physically see 1,138 faces, providing a clearer understanding of what such a number actually means. Now, imagine that each graphic represents a human life lost due to inhumane treatment in an industry we support every day.
Why 1,138?
In 2013, the Rana Plaza building in Bangladesh collapsed, killing 1,138 garment workers employed in the fast fashion industry. This industry thrives on cheap labor, exploitative conditions, and mass production—and chances are, you’re wearing its products right now.
Despite warnings about structural instability, the factory remained operational due to an illegally constructed upper floor. Workers were forced to enter under the threat of losing their jobs. The tragedy, which occurred on April 24, 2013, led to the creation of the global movement Fashion Revolution. Since then, the Fashion Revolution Week takes place annually, featuring various awareness activities worldwide.
One of the most well-known social media initiatives is the #WhoMadeMyClothes campaign, where individuals take selfies wearing their clothes inside out to expose the tags. By tagging brands and asking this question, consumers demand transparency and push companies to take responsibility for ethical production.
You can learn how to get involved with Fashion Revolution at fashionrevolution.org. Change starts with rejecting fast fashion brands and choosing clothing from sustainable and local businesses—or by shopping at thrift stores and second-hand markets.
The installation is currently stored, waiting for new ideas. The most likely next step is to pass it on to local seamstresses, who would transform the prints into unique, wearable pieces. However, time will tell. If you’d like to be part of this process, feel free to reach out.