Festival of the Humanities: Work
When
From May 7 to 9, at 5:00 p.m
Where
Koiné Room | UPF-BSM
This notion is associated with suffering, with physical or intellectual effort. This concept shapes our economic reality but also dictates our social relationships. We will invite experts in art and culture to assess the potential of work to transform society in a fair and free way.
All sessions will take place in the Koiné room from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Click here to join it.
- DAY 1: Wednesday, May 7
The Dehumanization of Work in Bartleby, the Scrivener
Herman Melville wrote Bartleby, the Scrivener in 1853, and with this long short story he manages to reach the heart of what work had become in the context of 19th-century capitalism and bureaucracy: a repetitive job with no incentives that can lead an office worker to prefer social and physical death through quiet, persistent resistance. Melville reveals the individual’s crisis in a system that values only productivity and profit.
Led by Glòria Farrés, professor in the Department of Humanities at UPF.
- DAY 2: Thursday, May 8
Cinema and Invisible Work
Work is one of the most widely explored visual themes on the big screen. We will analyze some iconic scenes, but we will also discuss how a film is created—from the initial idea to the final cut. Who makes it possible for an idea to become a film? We will explore the disciplines that provide structure, rhythm, and meaning to cinematic narratives.
Led by Jordi Balló, professor of Audiovisual Communication at UPF and collaborator in the Master’s in Creative Documentary at UPF-BSM.
- DAY 3: Friday, May 9
Origin and Evolution of the “Basilica of the Sagrada Família” project
This is a presentation focused on the evolution and architectural challenges of constructing the temple. Drawing on reflections about key historical moments, the session will examine the decision-making processes in construction management. It will offer a cross-cutting view of management, economics, and artistic considerations—going beyond traditional solutions for complex projects—by also addressing how the organization was transformed to achieve its goals.
Led by Pau Millet, architect, partner and director at MIRAG Arquitectura i Gestió, and co-founder and CEO of Double Twist Architects.