https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2023/12/18/vvft-d18.html
"Museum of Austerity, recently displayed at the HOME arts centre in Manchester,
UK, brings to life the terrible plight of 10 of the disabled victims of a
brutal and inhumane benefits system who were failed and left to die.
The exhibition, co-produced by the English Touring Theatre and Trial and Error
Studio, combines the skills of theatre/XR director Sacha Wares and the in-depth
knowledge of John Pring, editor of the
Disability News Service (DNS).
The installation utilises holographic/augmented technology creating life like
images and recorded interviews with family members drawing together the
terrible personal and social impact of over a decade of brutal austerity.
The viewer is provided with a headset and walks into an empty space. One is
then struck by the glowing images, played by actors, of 10 of the victims
coming to life within touching distance. Recorded testimony is provided from a
real family member fed through the wearer’s headset.
In the background is heard the voices of politicians in the House of Commons
pontificating on how the benefits system is far too generous and facing
fraudulent claims.
Standing in front of each one of these images, their stories are described in
harrowing step by step detail, showing how they were failed by an inhumane and
punitive benefit system, administered by the Department of Work and Pensions
(DWP)
Listening to what happened to each of the victims, one is left wondering how
could this have happened in one of the richest countries in the world? What if
anything was in place to protect these people, who were clearly vulnerable, and
struggling to engage with a benefits system, but were left to die?"
Via Susan ****
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
