AUTHOR: Erika Haxton
GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Victoria Cha
COPY EDITOR: Cris Nippard
Walking into the “Defaced! Money, Conflict” exhibit at the AGO, you can leave all worries and previous thoughts at the door. You walk into a world where art speaks louder than words ever could. The gallery showcases protests and acts of social justice, using money as its medium.
The gallery is minimalistic in design. It has a dark grey wall and small displays for each of the art pieces. Each piece carried such weight and a critique of society through money. Even though it appeared to be simplistic, each piece of art contained such depth that every viewer was immersed in its story.
A standout piece for me was a sculpture of a snake completely made out of paper bills by Luis Ortega, a Colombian craftsman and street vendor. This piece was an act of protest and an attack on inflation and the money’s lack of value. Given the unfortunate economic reality in Colombia, the piece held more value as art than it did in currency.
The fight for peace and justice is loud in the quiet gallery, screaming for action and change. You can see the pain through the imprint that people have left on the money. This exhibit leaves you wondering why the value of money is worth more than human rights.
This exhibit is for those who want to learn and listen. It demonstrates what years of injustice look like across different societies. It shows strength through the act of artists defacing money. You are brought down to the essence of existence and there you hear the story of the art.
