The gap between those who have and those who do not is increasing. In order to reverse these trends, greater attention needs to be paid to the depth and breadth of the problem.
Even It Up, Oxfam’s report put a face, name and number to global inequality. It made the point that inequality is not accidental and can be reversed through strong policy choices.
Damage Control used the report to develop an accessible multi-media installation. The idea was to create an immersive experience for the viewers. The very first attempt for viewers to experience was created by space management. We kept 48% of the exhibition space empty cordoned off by tapes inscribed with Imagining Inequality, resembling police tapes. This empty space had only one light box giving out the headline of the report that only top 1% of wealthy controls 48% of resources. We then cramped up the rest of the space with the exhibition that used images, texts, graphics in prints and light boxes. There was an ambient sound of mashed up reports from various stock exchanges of the world. And a video to focus on inequality rather than on poverty. Such a display helped unpack the key messages of the report. We were responsible for concept design, development and final production.
Another version of the exhibition was later created to use in Oxfam India's Trailwalker programme.