Degree Show: In The Red
In 2011, Ireland was in recession, burdened by a National Debt of €104,478,793,999. In The Red is an interactive art installation developed to make tangible the concept of an incomprehensibly large sum of money for the ordinary citizen. The installation relates the meaning of this sum to its impact on life in Ireland during the recession.
Creative writing was used to express the depths, of deaths and debts.
Silk Screen
This article relies on creative writing to break down, into manageable morsels, the complex circumstances
that gave rise to the economic disaster.
Silk Screen
The 'Puzzled' page, communicates the confusing economic situation the country found itself in 2011.
Silk Screen
No-thing Describes Nothing
Silk Screen
Silk Screen
Free newspapers are offered as part of the installation. These contain replicas of the above framed-prints.
The juxtaposition of free and costly artwork, with identical content, introduces a sub-theme within the exhibit. This sub-theme challenges how artwork is valued within a 'white cube' exhibition space. It questions how financial aesthetics can affect art appreciation.
Countdown Clock
The Countdown Clock is an LED display which shows the sum of the National Debt, and a money box connects to the display. When a €1 coin is inserted into the money box, the displayed figure reduces by a value of €1. This simulates a €1 tax contribution towards the National Debt.
The value of €1 is a comprehensible sum. For example, its exchange value is worth a McDonalds Ice-Cream Sundae. The aim of the countdown clock is to express the greatness of €104,478,793,999 by contrasting it to the conceivable value of €1.
By inserting a €1 coin into the money box, the user witnesses that deducting €1 makes a negligible impact on the overall sum. The futile impact which the €1 contribution makes, highlights the enormity of the Irish National Debt. Experiencing this enormity helps the user to imagine the extraordinary length of time it will take to eradicate the debt.
Spinning Cent illustrates the depreciation in the value of money over time. It aims to illustrate the persistent action required to maintain monetary value in the face of constant devaluation.
A perpetual spinning disk models the dimension of time. When in motion, the circumference of the spinning disk creates the appearance of a zero, symbolising zero financial gains. Participants can press a button to stop the disc from spinning. When this action is taken, the zero is no longer apparent and a large 1c coin is revealed momentarily, before a timer triggers the disk to spin again, reducing the 1c back to zero.
To maintain the presence of the 1c, which symbolises financial gain, constant action is required. If the participant does not repeatedly press the button, the 1c will quickly be reduced to zero. The action of pressing the button to generate value from zero simulates the exchange of labour for a wage. This expresses the reality of working against time to earn money and maintain its value.
Spinning Cent
