Artist shuts down gallery and gives staff five weeks off

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A London gallery has locked its doors and given staff five weeks off all in the name of art.

Maria Eichhorn's '5 weeks, 25 days, 175 hours' exhibition runs at the Chisenhale Gallery from 23 April until 29 May. But the doors were only open for 24 hours before the artist brought down the shutters and told staff to go home.

A brief conference was held at the gallery, before the doors were locked at staff sent home Credit: Chisenhale Gallery

Why? Well the artist wants to give us nothing to see, but a lot to think about. The exhibition is examining why only work should be associated with being productive.

By giving workers time off Maria Eichhorn will examine what staff do with their spare time over the next five weeks.