The Breathing Factory

‘The Breathing Factory’ critically addresses the role and representation of labour and global labour practices in this newly industrialised landscape, which are characterised by fleeting alliances, transient spaces as capital moves when required.

In such a precarious and globalized context, the project focuses upon the Hewlett-Packard Manufacturing and Technology Complex, part of a cluster formation of technology multinationals, sited near the town of Leixlip, in the east of Ireland. Following a year of negotiation to secure access to this highly secure environment, the project was completed over 2 years. Each visit was pre-scheduled and pre-cleared, required being accompanied at all times and thus, the policing of the project is a central theme.

The title of the project is inspired by a flexible economic management model responsive to the needs and demands of the global market, that is intended to be implemented not only on the factory floor; but critically, to extend to the nation state itself.

In January 2017, Hewlett-Packard announced the closure of the complex.