The Art of Avoidance: Felix Schoeppner’s Handle with Care and the Future of Work
There’s something profoundly human about the way we avoid work. Personally, I think it’s one of the most underrated aspects of our creativity. Felix Schoeppner’s Handle with Care taps into this beautifully, using his meticulously constructed images to explore the tension between labor, technology, and our innate desire to sidestep tasks we’d rather not do. What makes this particularly fascinating is how Schoeppner doesn’t just document this phenomenon—he elevates it into a commentary on the future of work itself.
Schoeppner’s work is sculptural, precise, and deeply conceptual. But what many people don’t realize is that his process is just as intriguing as the final product. He doesn’t start with a fixed idea; instead, he begins with a loosely defined term or object, then spends months—sometimes years—testing, discarding, and reconfiguring. It’s a method that feels almost therapeutic, like watching someone think out loud in three dimensions. This approach isn’t just about creating art; it’s about understanding the systems and structures that underpin our lives.
One thing that immediately stands out is Schoeppner’s use of everyday materials. Chipboard, aluminum profiles, and household objects become the building blocks of his conceptual world. From my perspective, this choice isn’t just aesthetic—it’s deeply symbolic. By using familiar materials, he grounds his work in the mundane, making it accessible even as it delves into abstract ideas. It’s a reminder that innovation often emerges from the ordinary, a point that feels especially relevant in an era dominated by AI and automation.
The Handle with Care series is particularly revealing. Schoeppner’s ‘mouse movers’—devices designed to simulate computer activity—are both ingenious and absurd. What this really suggests is that our relationship with work is becoming increasingly performative. As remote work blurs the lines between presence and productivity, tools like these highlight the lengths we’ll go to maintain the illusion of busyness. If you take a step back and think about it, it’s a commentary on how disconnected work has become from actual output.
What’s even more striking is the way Schoeppner presents these devices. They’re often shown in shipping cases, suspended between use and storage. This ‘in-between’ state feels like a metaphor for our current moment. Automation and AI are reshaping labor, leaving us in a transitional phase where the old rules no longer apply, but the new ones haven’t fully emerged. This raises a deeper question: are we building tools to liberate us from work, or are we just creating more elaborate ways to avoid it?
Schoeppner’s technical process is equally revealing. His use of focus stacking, lighting, and perspective isn’t just about capturing detail—it’s about controlling how we perceive his subjects. A detail that I find especially interesting is his intentional inclusion of construction marks and imperfections. These traces remind us that his work isn’t just about the final image; it’s about the process of making. In a world where perfection is often the goal, Schoeppner celebrates the messy, iterative nature of creation.
Ultimately, Handle with Care is more than a series of photographs. It’s a meditation on ingenuity, avoidance, and the evolving nature of labor. Schoeppner’s work challenges us to reconsider what work means in an age of automation and remote productivity. In my opinion, it’s a timely and thought-provoking exploration of how we’re adapting—or failing to adapt—to a rapidly changing world.
The Broader Implications
Schoeppner’s work doesn’t just reflect our current reality; it anticipates where we might be headed. The mouse movers, for instance, feel like a precursor to a future where automation renders certain tasks obsolete. But what happens when the tools we create to avoid work become the work itself? This is where Schoeppner’s commentary becomes particularly prescient. He’s not just documenting a trend; he’s asking us to consider the psychological and cultural implications of a world where work is increasingly performative.
From a cultural standpoint, the DIY nature of these devices is a testament to human resourcefulness. We’ve always found ways to circumvent tasks we dislike, but the digital age has given us new tools and new challenges. Schoeppner’s work highlights the tension between our desire for efficiency and our need for autonomy. It’s a tension that’s only going to intensify as AI and automation become more pervasive.
Final Thoughts
Felix Schoeppner’s Handle with Care is a masterclass in conceptual photography, but it’s also a deeply human exploration of work, avoidance, and ingenuity. What makes his work so compelling is its ability to balance precision with playfulness, abstraction with accessibility. Personally, I think it’s a reminder that even in our most mundane tasks, there’s an opportunity for creativity—and perhaps a bit of rebellion.
As we navigate the future of work, Schoeppner’s images serve as both a mirror and a warning. They reflect our current struggles while hinting at the possibilities—and pitfalls—that lie ahead. If there’s one takeaway, it’s this: the way we avoid work says a lot about who we are. And in Schoeppner’s hands, that avoidance becomes a work of art.
