'A Load of Jargon' is an art exhibit that literally embodies some of the business world's most inane and meaningless idioms, phrases and cliches. Offices get tons of valuable work done, but the language that gets them there can be absurd from an outsider's perspective. Isabel + Helen's installation gives a graphic representation of just how outlandish some of these pieces of jargon are.
A Load of Jargon includes old fashioned and modern phrases alike. For instance, the artists lampoon the phrase "thinking cap" by creating a pile of baseball hats emblazoned with those selfsame words on them. "Next steps," another common business argot, is a treadmill-like set of stairs, implying the infinite cycle of the phrase.
Not all the pieces are so literal, though. "Going viral," for instance, is a series of yellow ping pong balls in front of a red background, inviting multiple interpretations.
What's Driving This Trend
- Satirical Art Installations
- Art installations that mock and embody business jargon and idioms are gaining popularity as commentary on the absurdity of workplace language.
- Anti-corporate Sentiment
- The rise of anti-corporate sentiment is leading to a demand for art and media that criticizes business culture and language.
- Humor as a Coping Mechanism
- Humor is becoming an increasingly popular tool to cope with the stresses of the workplace and the tediousness of corporate language.
Who This Affects Most
- Art and Entertainment
- The art and entertainment industry can capitalize on the growing demand for satire and criticism of corporate culture through subversive installations, films, and TV shows.
- Marketing and Advertising
- Marketing and advertising industries can use humor and satire to appeal to younger audiences who are increasingly disillusioned with traditional marketing language and techniques.
- HR and Organizational Development
- HR and organizational development industries can embrace and integrate humor and satire into workplace culture in order to improve communication and reduce stress levels.
