MetaFilter posts tagged with currency and art

Paper money as art

reenum — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:06:48 -0800

Banknotes are a fascinating look into the artistry and culture of the countries of the world. To get started, you can spend hours exploring Ron Wise's database, Tom Chao's galleries, Islamic Bank Notes, KCShop's gallery, and ATS Notes. There are several resources for collectors as well, here and here. For some of the artistic elements of paper money, you can read Michael Bierut's analysis of the best and worst paper money, the designs of the new Philippine bank notes, a primer on paper money art, see some downright weird and amazing uses for paper money in art, and a group of collages made or influenced by currency. For the citizens of the Commonwealth among us, see how Queen Elizabeth II's portrait has changed on the face of the various Commonwealth nations' currencies. If you're feeling up to the task, you can help create a symbol for the Indian rupee.

Central and Southern African tribal art and culture

nickyskye — Sun, 17 May 2009 13:13:23 -0800

The exceptionally informative and well illustrated Galerie Ezakwantu has great pages on African tribal art, culture and history [due to partial nudity many links NSFW]: African Lip Plugs - Lip Plates; African Currency - African Slave Beads; Jewelry; African Scarification; Thrones and Stools; Shields; Combs; Musical Instruments; Fertility Dolls; Weapons; Zulu Basketry; Contemporary Art; Cups; Tribal Currency; Zulu Ricksha attire; Southern Africa Tribal Migrations; South African Kings and Chiefs. Also some interesting pages on anger about Robert Mugabe; the sale of the gallery owner's property; Cape Dutch Homesteads and blueberry recipes. A little more about the Body Art of Africa: Scarification among African cultures.

Skylines Carved Into Currency

jonson — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 18:37:19 -0800

Australian art student Nicholas Manion has hit upon a clever idea: delicately cut paper currency forming the skyline of major cities. Via.

cool cash

nickyskye — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 18:24:24 -0800

Banknote art by Justine Smith. Alternating currency: by Marshall Weber, portraits in money by Mark Wagner, a Ganesh out of Rupee notes by CK Wilde (a spectacular previously). Beautiful banknotes at the World Paper Money Image Gallery. Unusual coins. Unique banknotes, like the 100 Million Dinara note from Croatia. U.S. currency and the pictures behind the portraits. Mildenberg's Dream Collection of Greek Coins at the Money Museum.

Stock Paintings

grapefruitmoon — Sat, 19 May 2007 21:16:55 -0800

Proof that artistic inspiration can come from any walk of life, Anthony White has turned his former life as a stockbroker into inspiration for a series of Stock Code paintings. Also available - paintings depicting different values of British, American, Australian, and Euro currency.[via ArtNews Blog]

Moneygami

jonson — Sun, 06 May 2007 22:44:46 -0800

Moneygami is origami made from U.S. currency; the subtle genius lies in the way the artist incorporates the prints on the dollar bills into the facial characteristics of the finished figures. More moneygami here. Via.

Now That Ain't Workin', That's The Way You Do It

fandango_matt — Sun, 15 Oct 2006 13:19:42 -0800

Art Money is an alternative, worldwide currency in the form of original works of art. The Bank of International Art Money is an independent organization directed by artists and free from any form of government financing.

Money. Beautiful, beautiful money

longsleeves — Sun, 06 Aug 2006 17:45:18 -0800

Pyramids with eyeballs on top notably absent. There was a time when one could ride into washington D.C. and turn paper into silver. NSFW if 19th century engravings of carelessly draped breasts might be hard to explain.

Currency Collages

peacay — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 07:40:55 -0800

Currency Collages from CK Wilde of Artichoke Yink Press [via]

Does Your Money Have Wings?

taz — Tue, 10 May 2005 00:44:24 -0800

A cool idea, and a fun allegory: Bird and butterfly collages made with old bank notes (two pages, horizontal scrolling). Click the images to view larger versions and see the notes that were used (scroll down). More here without the note source info.

Ugly and not so ugly money

pedantic — Sun, 06 Jul 2003 19:27:40 -0800

Ugly money : burnt bills, Santa singles, good time greenbacks, bodacious bum bucks and then some. On a related but cool note, conceptual currency.