Conversations on the Shift

‘The Decade of Rest’, a speculative design project by Angela Neubauer, explores a reimagined Austria prioritising well-being over profit. This alternative reality emerges post-Covid-19, with a radical shift in priorities towards care work and addressing the climate crisis. This shift heralds a “decade of rest,” where certain practices and industries are suspended, granting a respite to people and the environment.

The accompanying slow-paced TV series, “Conversations on the Shift,” features people discussing life and work changes over the years since this paradigm shift.

The project challenges our current conception of the present and future, discussing the nature and purpose of work and the economics of rest. It serves as a counterpoint to the relentless acceleration and dystopia of most future depictions, offering a future that is slow, subtle, and hopeful.

As Dr. Bayo Akomolafe puts it, “The times are urgent – let us slow down.” This project underscores this message, advocating for a more positive, utopian vision of the future.