The Mattress Factory in Pittsburgh has unveiled a new installation titled “The Hidden Shift,” created by resident artist Ting Tong Chang. This thought-provoking work, which opened last month, challenges traditional narratives surrounding the city’s labor history through a unique blend of humor and irony. The installation is set in the museum’s distinctive cellar space and invites visitors to engage with two contrasting video presentations.
Exploring Labor History with a Twist
The installation features two screens positioned opposite each other. One displays a 20-minute black-and-white video described as an absurdist “murder mystery.” This film draws inspiration from the notorious 1892 Homestead Strike and the assassination attempt on industrialist Henry Clay Frick by anarchist Alexander Berkman. The storyline unfolds in a fictional setting where characters, including a passionate anarchist and a tough-talking Pinkerton detective, engage in witty banter over the body of a macaroni tycoon.
In contrast, the second screen presents a vibrant, behind-the-scenes documentary. This segment features employees of the Mattress Factory, such as Joe Praksti, the visitor-experiences manager who portrays the detective, and Lizzie Ahlborn, the payroll and HR manager who plays the tycoon’s secretary. This documentary captures their everyday activities within the museum while they don period costumes, blending the line between history and contemporary life.
Visitors can comfortably watch both films while seated on benches and bean bags situated amidst furniture and signage that were actually used in the film’s production. This immersive experience takes place in the very cellar where the film was shot, creating a unique connection between the art and the space.
Artist’s Vision and Inspiration
The concept for “The Hidden Shift” emerged during Chang’s residency at the Mattress Factory in 2024. The artist, originally from Taiwan, expressed his intention to create a site-specific work that incorporates both the architectural elements of the museum and the local community. Chang was inspired by various historical sites in Pittsburgh, including the Millvale murals of Maxo Vanka and the Carrie Blast Furnaces National Historic Landmark, as well as personal memories of industrial shifts in his own country.
Collaboration played a significant role in the project, as Chang enlisted Pittsburgh-based director Alex Abrahams to adapt his original script into the final production. The result is an installation that transcends traditional documentary or historical formats, instead offering a reflective commentary on the gap between Pittsburgh’s industrial past and its current landscape.
With roots in both Taiwan and Spain, Chang has exhibited his work internationally, including in countries such as Korea, China, Japan, and the United Kingdom. His recent collaborative piece was showcased at the South by Southwest festival earlier this year.
“The Hidden Shift” is on display at the Mattress Factory until January 3, 2027, providing ample opportunity for audiences to explore this innovative examination of Pittsburgh’s labor history.
