bockwerk

The door to the Austrian labour market remains firmly shut in the face of asylum seekers or people with unclear immigration status – until (if ever) asylum or indefinite leave to remain is granted. In “bockwerk”, these same people are allowed to work nevertheless. They produce wooden artefacts for interior or exterior use – presently chairs made from parts locking into each other. Flexible and of simple design (like the project’s overall approach), these are not only sold but also exhibited. Bockwerk wants to reach the breakeven point eventually. The acquired skills help the refugees with integration – vis-à-vis the authorities and also in real.