Martina Geiger‑Gerlach

„Arbeit am Kopf“

„Arbeit am Kopf“(Work on the Head)

“Arbeit am Kopf” (Work on the Head)
brings the surprising research findings of Oxford climate communication scholars Dr. Sam Hampton and Dr. Briony Latter into hair salons, while simultaneously bringing them to the forefront of public awareness through imagery and self-experimentation. The two discovered that hair stylists can influence people’s thoughts and actions more effectively than the scientific community. If this often undervalued and underpaid profession—with its unique capacity for empathy, listening, and connection—quietly nurtures the inner beauty of our society while they work, could it perhaps save our climate and our democracy?

“Help us quickly mobilize this untapped potential! Inform your hairdressers and your community about the immense power of salon conversations. Encourage everyone to consciously use these one-on-one dialogues to defend our democracy or for constructive climate discussions. Thank you for your invaluable contribution to our collective ‘Arbeit am Kopf’ (Work on the Head).” (Excerpt from the campaign flyer)

Work in Progress | Launched in 2025
Various formats to date:

Featured by the University of Oxford
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„Arbeit am Kopf“ (Work on the Head):
The Pilot Project | 2025

Participatory installation space: Improvised hair salon with reading table (Oxford study, thought-provoking magazines)
Program: Salon opening with a welcome address by Hampton/Latter  and ad-hoc haircuts by representatives of the hairdressers' guild; workshop by Landeszentrale für politische Bildung BW (State Agency for Civic Education) on dealing with far-right rhetoric in everyday life; Drop-in Salon

Kindly supported by BB Stiftung
Photos Slider : 1 - 6, 9: Martina Geiger-Gerlach © VG Bild-Kunst Bonn, 7: © Lothar Heinrich, 8: © Dominique Brewing, 10: privat

„Arbeit am Kopf“

„Arbeit am Kopf“ (Work on the Head):
The Campaign Module | 2026

A photographic installation
126 × 170 × 40 cm
Photo tableau (Fine Art Print: Photo Rag Pearl on aluminum composite panel, wax-sealed), mirrored vanity table (mended), makeup mirror, vase, flower, campaign flyer.

“Help us quickly mobilize this untapped potential! Inform your hairdressers and your community about the immense power of salon conversations. Encourage everyone to consciously use these one-on-one dialogues to defend our democracy or for constructive climate discussions. Thank you for your invaluable contribution to our collective ‘Arbeit am Kopf’ (Work on the Head).” (Excerpt from the campaign flyer)
„Arbeit am Kopf“

"Arbeit am Kopf" (Work on the Head):
A Keynote Presentation | 2026

On: The Oxford study on the impact of salon conversations, artistic ways to activate this potential, and the vision to collectively drive "Arbeit am Kopf" forward.
Designed for: Hairdressing guilds, vocational schools, and actors in civic education.
Images Dominique Brewing

Read the non-academic report:
Dr. Sam Hampton/Dr. Briony Latter:
"Hairdressers as ‘everyday influencers’"


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„Arbeit am Kopf" (Work on the Head):
UNTANGLING
The street art event

Equipment: Tripod with photo banner, 3 barber chairs, standing mirror, side table with campaign flyers, detangling brush and combs, clothes brush, hand mirror, Hygiene supplies, red carpet with lettering (Can I comb your hair? Free DETANGLE)

Premiere July 24, 2026, 5:00–8:00 p.m.
Schloßplatz Pavilion / Stuttgart
Documentation: Claire Weetman, Gee Collins, Helon Wilson