2010 seems to be the decade when we re-evaluate our relationship with money. Parallel to the Finnish global print project ‘4 Love not Money’ , my own , collaborative project ‘ The Moneartists’ considers the true worth of money.

I have learnt this year , it is better to work from the heart, and not just for the money. Although the bankers probably do work like this already- as their hearts are in the making of money.

The project ‘4 Love not Money’ recaptures the possibility of community building which seems to be inherent in printmaking. The organisers explain the project as follows:

For Love Not Money: A Global Mail Art Collaboration

This international collaboration between students, faculty, and artists from academic and professional institutions around the world will be inspired by and potentially exhibited at the 15th Tallinn Print Triennial. The theme for the Triennial and for this collaborative project is FOR LOVE NOT MONEY.

Concept (excerpts taken from the 15th Tallinn Print Triennial concept statement):

…FOR LOVE NOT MONEY is intended to present a timely reflection on the state of contemporary art production, presentation and reception _ during a period of world financial crisis. It also encapsulates a reflection of the status of ‘printmaking’ within the hierarchy of contemporary art practice and production…

…In the English language the aphorism “for love not money” describes any labour that is undertaken for passionate and not pecuniary reward _ it is almost interchangeable with the equally aphoristic “a labour of love”…

…The phrase also possesses a distinct cultural mien as it can be used to describe the plight of the young and/or struggling artist be they an actor, visual artist, director, or writer. Any person that sets out on a career in-the-arts knows that just making-a-living at what they have trained to do represents a modicum of success. They make their art _ for love not money…

… A range of concepts embodied within the project’s title, include addiction, desire, dedication, duty, family, love, lust, objectification, romance, religion, political commitment, and sex…

Mail Art Collaboration Guidelines:

*Each participant will begin making a 2-dimensional piece of art pertaining to the theme, using any combination of techniques, as long as printmaking/digital is included. Each participant must then accurately address, stamp, and mail the piece to their partner. Do not put the work into an envelope. The marks made by the act of delivery will become part of the piece.
*When the mail art is delivered, the receiving partner will complete the piece. (Each team will end up with two completed pieces in total.)

When finally assembled, the entire collaboration will be reviewed for possible exhibition at the 15th Tallinn Print Triennial in May of 2010.

I sent my print to Lenka in Slovenia.