The thesis examines functional movement within invisible unskilled labour by juxtaposing politics and sociologies of work, Feminist and Queer Theory, Material Engagement Theory and Expanded Choreography. It explores capitalism’s impact on the polysemy of work and its systemic issues within Western European, late capitalist society, drawing parallels between precariousness and invisibility in both artistic and manual labour. More specifically, it aims to uncover poetic and subversive practices to reimagine work through fostering allyship as an attitude and mode of production between artistic and manual labour. It challenges the established notion of work and its institutional codes by highlighting the overlooked, yet essential labour needed to sustain today’s standards of life. The research is grounded on the hypothesis that if invisible, unskilled labour were to acquire (more) visibility, recognition and social valorisation, the capitalist paradigm could be overthrown and work reimagined.

The context of this practice as research arises from the researcher’s background as a scenographer and performance artist. The chosen fields elaborate on work as a performative act, on poiesis, on functional movement and on material engagement. The research employs the methods and practices of sweeping, rhizomatic engagement with a broom, allyship, aurality, field research and interviews.

By investigating the socio-political, cultural and physical uses of the broom as a tool, it emerges as an epistemic object highlighting and elevating the significance of invisible labour. The objectives of the research were to raise critical awareness among performing arts audiences of hidden manual labour sustaining (artistic) production, foster a practice of genuine dialogue and mutual interest recognition
between the researcher and manual workers and critically (self-)reflect on class appropriation. Through choreography and performance-making, the research outcome highlights invisible manual labour within the Black Box theatre context.

Further, the research contributes to an individual and collective reconfiguration of the established notion of work, initiating a process towards a sustainable, solidaristic and empowering future of labour. Lastly, it challenges current alienation from the material world by exploring functional movement as a way of thinking and moving with and through tools, acknowledging and reconsidering their use and production and the hidden labour related to them.