The gap between the rich and everyone else is widening. Wages have stagnated for all except the top 5% and the owners of capital. Art reflects these trends. A few artists have become immensely wealthy, turning themselves into well-known brands. Many more artists scratch a living and support their practice by working on zero hours contracts.
This year at Tate Exchange, Central Saint Martins proposes to consider these problems by creating an independent economic state on the fifth floor of the Blavatnik Building in which visitors can make and spend billions.
Students and staff from the Art programme at Central Saint Martins have products to sell. Over the course of the week more than 300 closing down sales will give visitors the opportunity to buy, buy, buy. Only our currency will be accepted and the only way to earn this is in our mint, where visitors will be able to design and print their own stash of cash and – time allowing – make as much money as they need. Newly minted, they will be able to buy artworks across a range of media made specially for the event. Prices will increase with demand but with the means of currency production at your fingertips you need never run out of money again.
About Central Saint Martins
Central Saint Martins is a world-renowned arts and design college which brings together a diverse range of creative practices under one roof. This is the fourth year that students and staff from the art programme have created a week long set of events and practical activities that directly address and engage with the audience.