Sottrarsi al lavoro troppo intenso. Si parla di ‘quite quitting’ in una mostra a Milano
Artist Niccolò de Napoli explores the phenomenon of "quiet quitting" in his solo exhibition, "I’m here, but not entirely yours," hosted at Studio Lombard DCA in Milan. The exhibition, produced by PROGETTO LUDOVICO, utilizes the unconventional setting of a strategic consultancy firm to showcase works that critique modern labor expectations. Key pieces include a blue neon sign mimicking corporate aesthetics, a sound installation referencing the 1983 film "Vieni avanti cretino," and monochromatic cases made of switchable glass that obscures itself as viewers approach, symbolizing the withdrawal of the self from the workplace.
This exhibition matters because it bridges the gap between contemporary art and the evolving sociology of work, specifically addressing the "hustle culture" rejection prevalent among Millennials and Gen Z. By placing art within an active corporate environment, de Napoli highlights the tension between professional performance and personal identity. The project, accompanied by a symposium and a dedicated issue of the AES Arts+Economics almanac, frames "quiet quitting" not as apathy, but as a political act of reclaiming boundaries in an era of hyper-performance.