Marlene Hausegger
Scabby: A Rat About Town
October 26 – December 1, 2024
*Open Source Gallery will be open for regular hours through November 24th and by appointment through December 1st.
Opening Hours: Thurs + Fri: 4-6PM, Sat + Sun: 2-6PM
Open Source Gallery, 306 17th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Open Source Gallery is pleased to present Marlene Hausegger’s exhibit, Scabby: A Rat About Town.
Who is Scabby the Rat?
Scabby is a giant inflatable rat that hangs out around New York City – maybe you’ve even seen this ugly (but loveable) rat around as you walk to the grocery store, school, or the park. When Scabby is out and about, he’s actually a mascot supporting the activism and protests that union workers participate in during a strike.
What is a Labor Union and a Strike?
A labor union is a group of workers who come together to protect their working rights, which includes whether they are being paid enough and whether their workplace is safe and healthy. These groups talk with their employers to make sure that all of the workers are being taken care of and paid well. When the employers do not want to meet the demands of the union, sometimes the workers go on strike, which is when workers join together to stop working in order to better their work environment.
Who is Marlene Hausegger?
Marlene Hausegger is a visual artist who uses public spaces to create unique artworks that tackle social issues. Marlene’s strategy of bringing art to the public makes viewers think about how social issues can affect everybody.
What is Scabby: A Rat About Town about?
In this exhibition, Marlene Hausegger is using Scabby the Rat to teach us about activism, protests, and workers’ rights. As you walk through the gallery, you can learn about the history of union worker activism and street protests through the unique perspective of Scabby. Next time you pass Scabby in the city, think about what unions they are standing with and what they could be striking for.
For press inquiries, please email contact@opensourcegallery.org.
This program is supported, in part, by the Federal Ministry Republic of Austria, the New York State Council on the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council.
The gallery is located at 306 17th St., Brooklyn, and is open for viewing on Thursdays and Fridays from 4 – 6pm and Saturdays and Sundays from 2 – 6pm. We hope to see you there!
Learn more at Open Source Gallery.