Mercantilism is an economic system which major trading nations used between the sixthteenth and eighteenth centuries. The approach believed that a nations strength could be increased by limiting imports and maximizing exports. It began to collapse with the decline of the Renaissance, and as years followed the policies gave way to a new system called Capitalism.
2. Identify the ideas in Hall's work that relate to Mercantilism.
In both of the works, Hall's main choice of media has been bank notes. This choice relates directly to the economic system 'Mercantilism' and expresses the idea of humans excessive demand for profit. She has used this media to create elements of the natural world, such as the birds nests in 'Tender'. This could mean that within her works she is trying to explore the relationships between the nature and the economic world.
3. Describe each work and also explain ideas.
'Tender' 2003-05. This work is a detailed installation made from thousands of shredded United States hundred dollar notes. Each strand has been woven precisely to form 86 birds nests, each of a different species from there own habitats. They are all relatively real size, small enough to clasp one in your hand. Within this work she could be exploring complex relationships between the natural world and economic trade systems.
'Leaf Litter' 1993-03. This work of Hall's is again made from currency. Each of the 183 layers has been made out of bank notes from all over the world, being held together at the back by paper tape. Then on top she has painted replicas of life sized leaf portraits on piece. The bank notes have been matched to the country of the leafs origin. Apart from displaying the idea that money doesn't grow on trees, through this work she is also refreshing our memory about fragile diversity of the natural world.
4. In your opinion do the materials communicate the ideas of the work? Please explain your answer.
In my opinion, the material choices and the specific usage and detail expresses the ideas behind her work well. For example the bank notes in 'Leaf Litter' are tender which relate directly to economic trade. Seeing this idea mixing with the other ideas of the leaf portraits helps you understand the explorations about money/profit and the natural world she is trying to show.
5. Fiona Hall's recent project 'The Kermadecs' focuses on issues around the Pacific ocean. Research this project to summarize the importance of the area and upload an image to your blog for discussion.
The Kermadec region is an area of untouched wilderness in the middle of the Pacific ocean. It is located between New Zealand and Tonga playing host to the largest volcanic arc on earth. The volcanic islands house a big variety of rare, endangered and undiscovered forms of life. The National Geographic Society has declared the area as one of the 'last pristine sites left in the ocean'. The project 'The Kermadecs' is about nine artists who have joined to help protect this area and preserve it from exploration.
'Ghost Net' 2011 Fiona Hall
http://www.investopedia.com/terms/m/mercantilism.asp
http://21cblog.com/fiona-hall-tender-2003-06/
http://dl.nfsa.gov.au/module/847/
http://www.thekermadecs.org/fiona-hall
