JOHN GREER
JOHN GREER

Pre-Money, 2011

Private Collection, Gland, Switzerland

Black Granite, Travertine, 59" x 9" x 67" / 150cm x 23cm x 170cm

 

I have given much thought regarding the value of Art. The art object is first a manifestation of the artist voice, a statement in form. It’s true cost is live itself - it takes time - both to realize and also to contemplate. A voice not heard is lost or has no value. Art is a power transaction - a form of currency, and like other currencies, its context is a significant component of its value.

 

Pre-Money depicts an enlarged human made cowry shell used as a precursor to coinage. It looks like a mask, and a mask signifies an objective witness. This is like a third-party witness to a value transaction.

So by referring to this specific object and re-making it as a large sculpture, it acknowledges the seminal event in human history: The abstract idea of money is one of the major inventions of the human race!

You can contact me directly here:

 john@artistjohngreer.com

Image by Gail Skoff was taken for the podcast: John Greer. Art is a Language
John's retroActive book is life size.
National Gallery of Canada : THE PROUST QUESTIONNAIRE Image by Gail Skoff.
John carrying North. Image by Gail Skoff.
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© John Greer