2005, Neutral Capital, Armory Show

Neutral Capital served as an alternative art economy first debuted with the Swiss Institute of Contemporary Art at the 2005 Armory Show. Neutral Capital consists of a printed paper currency collaged from failed foreign bank notes, as well as the cases and display items that assist in its trafficking, exchange, and collection. All Neutral Capital bills are collaged by hand from failed global currencies bought at market value, then printed in four color offset lithography. My process combines, reanimates and revalues these currencies to form an alternative market resource navigating art and commerce. Each denomination is printed as a limited edition series and valued according to the daily exchange rate for Neutral Capital. At the Armory Show the cases sold at the Swiss Institute’s booth to collectors who used it to buy/trade artworks throughout the fair. Participating galleries displayed the distinctive “We Accept Neutral Capital” signs. Collectors used Neutral Capital to purchase works by dozens of artists including Olaf Breuning, Rirkrit Teravanija, Laurie Anderson, and John Armleder.