Lo Shake alla catena¶
The Shake was a dancing style that became popular in the mid-1960s. Originating in the USA, it was characterised by tense jerking of the limbs, such as trembling legs, arms gesticulating and head shaking. In this newspaper article, Luisa Melograni borrow the image of a Shake dancer for her title, commening on the spasmodic tempo of the movements imposed to chain workers.
The subtitle reads: " A ‘special’ treatment for factory workers in Milan. Nine hours a day with two pincers on each of her hips to move the trolleys, while using her hands to cut the ‘piece’ with the shear - At the age of twenty, she has already changed four jobs; but she still has hope - Free time: two hours a week - Saving lira upon lira to see the sea in ‘68 - Labourers ‘from here to eternity’?"
Article from Fondo Luigi Firrao: Luisa Melograni, 1967. bib⁄Lo shake alla catena.