Davos Is a Verb

Since the last financial crisis, a new practice has emerged in Davos: During to the World Economic Forum WEF, the main street is being temporarily rebuilt almost throughout. Freestanding pavilions are being constructed for events organized by companies, corporations and organizations, wall-filling banners are changing the Street scene, and business premises are being converted into communication spaces for the realization of the respective agenda – at horrendous rents.

In his new work, Jules Spinatsch applies strategies of photo essays, concept photography and investigative journalism. "Davos Is a Verb" shows the aesthetics and behavior of the financial, technology and new media industries as well as politics: in shops, bars, clubs, hotels and even in museums and churches, where roundtable discussions, press conferences, but also parties and esoteric sessions take place. In this way, a parallel world beyond the official WEF zones becomes visible, where WEF participants, lobbyists, locals and tourists meet. Spinatsch also looks at vacant business premises, which are often only rented out during these few days. He sheds light on a practice that changes Davos not only in January, but permanently – whether out of greed, need, or a supposed lack of alternatives. Simultaneously insider and outsider, and with ironic distance, Spinatsch introduces us to this practice of disruptive pop-ups and puts it up for discussion.