The love of money is the root of all evil
Assemblage of found objects
Bitcoin, dolls' arms, brass shell cases, in wooden nut bowl.
28 cm diameter, 10 cm depth
Dale Copeland 2022
|
Often misquoted as "Money is the root of all evil". It's not the stuff, it's our attitude to it. Here all the gold-splashed arms reach out for the symbol, the BitCoin. And yes, I know that 'real' bitcoins don't exist as objects, they're just numbers. (we call that "real"?) But all money is like that, not just the non-fungible transactions, all of it. A ten-dollar note used to have written on it "this note is the promise to pay $10". That was when there was enough gold in Fort Knox and the banks so you could actually cash in your notes. Now, the entire economic world depends on us believing that our piece of paper is worth the number. Or that two cowrie shells will buy you a fish. Whatever. It has to be the common belief, the accepted value. But ask anyone who lives in Zimbabwe. Or any country that has suffered enormous inflation. In spite of the illusory nature of money it is loved and desired and fought over. The bullet casings at the top? ... wars seem often to be started to take over a country's source of oil, or gold, or diamonds. And arms are sold to both sides. There's money to be made. But not by the soldier who is inspired (or bullied or shamed) into fighting to protect his country's way of life. |
Dale's studio can be found on Surf Highway, Taranaki, New Zealand
More of her work can be seen on the Virtual TART site at www.tart.co.nz
email Dale at dale@tart.co.nz