KAMI art
A different way to make a business plan – KAMI art
KAMI art is the product of a three-month collaboration between visual artist Karsten Auerbach and KAMI.
KAMI’s task for Karsten Auerbach was to create a platform for dialog and participation where employees were involved in the formulation of the company’s business plan for 2010.
Processes
Visual artist Karsten Auerbach started the dialog by exhibiting his own paintings throughout the company’s premises and halls. Quite unplanned, this became an opportunity for employees to invite family and friends to see the company from the inside.
Karsten then set up his studio in the production hall to paint the daily life of the employees in a naturalistic way. By standing on the cement floor and working alongside the blacksmiths, he also opened up spontaneous conversations about what the project was all about.
Karsten Auerbach had a consultant from the Danish Metalworkers’ Federation in Copenhagen come and describe future scenarios for the metal industry in Denmark. Meanwhile, Karsten painted the future images described on the wall of the lunch room.
Karsten Auerbach interviewed CEO Claus E. Eskildsen to paint an overview of the vision that drives KAMI – and to create metaphors that clearly communicate the vision. This visual brainstorm was on display behind the CEO’s desk for weeks.
Karsten Auerbach then visualized the content of the key conversations between management and employees – on large sketches that were painted on site for everyone to see.
The purpose of KAMI art
The purpose of KAMI art was to motivate employees to take ownership of the values, actions and attitudes that will ensure the company’s continued development. In addition, KAMI wanted to strengthen the company’s reputation as a good and exciting place to work.
The result
On top of the naturalistic paintings of current daily life, Karsten Auerbach painted – as a conclusion – “Metalworkers of the future”, with warm colors and dynamic putty strokes.
The 14 paintings now hang in the production halls as a visual record of conversations, agreements, thoughts and intentions.
Several of the employees’ suggestions, such as information pathways and training, have now been incorporated into the business plan. One of the first concrete results of the dialog is the introduction of profit sharing.
Gallery
See some of our images
Read more about KAMI
Production facilities in DK and US
CSR – Corporate Social Responsibility