Melanie
Manchot

An overhead view of a large industrial machine surrounded by a snowed in landscape. Six figures emerge and commence their tasks: digging, clearing, shifting, shovelling. Filmed as a continuous single shot the image presents the environment like a temporary stage upon which the protagonists act. The question arises whether their activities are purposeful, useful, whether this is their everyday working reality or a set up. Tasks (Chieftain) was filmed with six volunteers who are all employees of the mountain railways yet the tasks we see are neither their job – nor anyone’s for that matter. The work was conceived as a response to the necessity of relentless snow management during a period of excessive snow fall.