24 hours

She is an Expert project presents the animated movie »24 Hours«, created in collaboration with artist and activist Anna Dial. The animated film is based on a story of a heroine (or heroines) who tries to fit all her tasks into one day, even though the Time-Turner has not been invented yet. It was important for us to show how big the role of invisible and unpaid work is for our lives. Here’s what the creator of the movie says:

“My heroine’s universe is a reflection of our everyday life, full of mundane things: dust balls under the bed, groceries that constantly run out in the fridge, scattered children’s toys and endless work projects. Along with that, she experiences horrors from the news, anxiety about the future, self-reflects and strives to be herself.

In my animations, I wanted to show the drama of women’s everyday life.

Sh.e project planned to investigate the visibility and distribution of women’s labor. This became the perfect combination for me: to show through my heroine how many cares fit into 24 hours. I relied on my day, which—as a working mother of two children, engaged in activism and trying to find time for her art—is quite complicated.

I know that this resonates with many women. Despite claims that women’s labor is noticeable, and they are perceived as equals, this is still not the case. We still need significant changes at the legislative level and in the distribution of household chores. The visibility of this is still small. All this is discussed only in a narrow circle, and I want it to be noticeable to as wide an audience as possible and to provoke public discussion.

Care, including caring for children, the elderly and people with illnesses or disabilities, as well as performing everyday household duties, is key to social well-being. It’s the »invisible engine« that supports the functioning of our economies, businesses and societies.

Without people who invest time, effort and resources into these important daily tasks, households, businesses and entire economies would come to a halt. However, most of this work is unfairly done by women and girls, especially from poor and marginalized groups. Despite the fact that this is important work, it often remains unpaid, undervalued and unrecognized, supporting gender and economic inequalities.

This work is often seen as »non-work«, and the costs for it are considered expenses, not investments. Our unequal economic system values the wealth of a narrow circle of privileged, mostly men, more than the billions of hours that women and girls put in for free every day.

Governments should prioritize care, ensure fair taxation, and invest in public services and infrastructure to reduce the burden on women and expand their opportunities for work outside the home, leaving behind the »double shift«.

Music: Jeremy Blake–Never Play