Mercantilism can be defined as a 16th - 18th century political and economic theory where the general principles of wealth, trade and power were determined by the countries reserve of gold, silver, raw materials and industrial capability.The policy also included the possession of colonies, removing materials from the newly possessed land and selling it back to the 'detained market' in the colonies. This also included exporting more goods than importing where the difference would be balanced by their ownership of gold and silver. This would create a strong nation economically and militarily.
Mercantilism was used as the source for colonialism as well as wars in
Fiona Hall
Fiona Halls piece ‘Tender’ was created using numerous amounts of shredded one dollar bills moulded into the shapes of bird nests. The controversy surrounding this artwork is that it is highly illegal and would be confiscated if it was in the
This artwork relates to mercantilism as it portrays the idea that the cost of deforestation as part of global trade is affecting many homes and ‘nests’ of animals that habitat they live in. The deeper message that this statement suggest is the environment in which the species live in has a price tag or cash value attached to it similar to the homes we live in. However as they have no ‘voice’ people assume the right to confiscate and re-po
pulate the area. This is similar to European colonisation in the 16th – 18th century where many tribes were robbed of their land and rightful home. The title that this artwork is named can be seen in two meanings, ‘Tender’ in economic terms means ‘currency’ as well as ‘Tender’ to describe a human emotion of fragility.
The artwork ‘leaf Litter’ communicates the idea that money is extremely important and desirable. As a human race we have built a society that is built on and around monetary power, however at the end of the day it is made of the least glamorous material, paper. Another way this artwork relates to mercantilism is the growth and power of the European domination is similar to the growth of trees. Their branches expand further away from the trunk yet they are strong and stable through years of growing dominating a greater area of space.
i do agree and find this statement was really well said - "the growth and power of the European domination is similar to the growth of trees. Their branches expand further away from the trunk yet they are strong and stable through years of growing dominating a greater area of space." I Found this was quite thought provoking and in some ways made me better understand the works of Fiona Hall.
ReplyDeleteEach birds nest is an exact replica of a specific species of birds, enclosed carefully in a glass case. The viewer notices that the nests are unusual as they are not made out of twigs and straw.
I agree with Alex's views and research on both the works 'tender' and 'leaf litter'. Both of the works definitely relate to mercantilism because of how they are constructed out of money. The thing i found interesting for the work leaf litter is the relation between money and plants, this is because at the time plants were a raw source of income and this is shown by how the leaves are constructed out of currency. The leaves also resemble a native plant that have become endangered due to over harvesting because of the economic pressure. From what i researched on tender i found out that the material used to construct the nest (american dollar bills) is the most wanted currency in many 3rd world countries, this information made me come to realise why Fiona used bird nests- because they are made through a scavenging process just like how people create there homes in third world countries.
ReplyDeleteI' m agree with your opinion.Mercantilism defined as a 16th - 18th century political and economic theory where the general principles of wealth, trade and power were determined by the countries reserve of gold, silver, raw materials and industrial capability. Moreover, For Fiona Hall's works , it really can relate to the Mercantilism. For the Left Letter that shows to people the money is important for human , nowadays. Fiona use the money for the work's background. The idea is really amazing.
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