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The sheet metal workers are installing air conditioning duct work constructed of galvanized iron. The young man on the left side of the picture is pointing out a mistake on the plan to the foreman, which has caused a considerable loss of time due to having to trim and alter the fitting by hand. A few more of such mistakes will prompt the foreman to call the shop and notify the boss of lost time rectifying mistakes made by the draftsmen on the plan. This complaint will cause the foreman to recommend that the draftsmen be laid off. However if the draftsmen are relatives of the boss or a drinking buddy of the foreman then the foreman will cover up for the draftsmen and say nothing about any mistakes. This is still the facts of life today on building construction.
Artist
John Niro
(1906 - 1989)
The Mistake
Date1974
MediumOil on canvas
DimensionsSight: 24 × 36 in. (61 × 91.4 cm)
Object numberN0119.1975
Credit LineCollection of the Fenimore Art Museum. Gift of John Niro in memory of Mrs. John Niro.
Photograph by Richard Walker
Label TextNiro wrote of this work:
The sheet metal workers are installing air conditioning duct work constructed of galvanized iron. The young man on the left side of the picture is pointing out a mistake on the plan to the foreman, which has caused a considerable loss of time due to having to trim and alter the fitting by hand. A few more of such mistakes will prompt the foreman to call the shop and notify the boss of lost time rectifying mistakes made by the draftsmen on the plan. This complaint will cause the foreman to recommend that the draftsmen be laid off. However if the draftsmen are relatives of the boss or a drinking buddy of the foreman then the foreman will cover up for the draftsmen and say nothing about any mistakes. This is still the facts of life today on building construction.
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