Exhibition - Wealth and Politics Gallery
By liberating the word “wealth” from strictly economic terms, we may understand how wealthy we really are. Consciously or not, we are surrounded by a dizzying abundance of life, resources, land, knowledge, currency and institutions. In designing networks of communication, production, exchange and entrepreneurship, we have the potential to create shared wealth on an order of magnitude the world has never seen. As society becomes more global and interrelated, we see the possibility for individual endeavors to affect change on a tremendous scale. Though these efforts do not at first look like ‘design’, their ingenuity in solving problems reveals keen design strategies. The combination of ambition and creativity is everyday proving itself in meeting humanity’s greatest challenges. Composer John Cage once said that paralysis often comes from not knowing where to begin. When the issues we face seem too daunting, consider his suggestion: “Begin anywhere.�?
The final room in the exhibition focuses on global systems of Wealth and Politics. It seeks to redefine the way that we usually think of the topics, by defining wealth outside of the realm of currency and politics as the systems that are improving the lives of people the world over.
The room as seen from an overlooking balcony (left). “Wealthy in Choices” figures demonstrating where we are spending our money, from bottled water to the Gates Foundation endowment (center). Photos Courtesy Institute without Boundaries and Vancouver Art Gallery.
The experience is intended to be inspirational and optimistic. The balloons floating overhead are proportional representations of global figures such as species on earth, information flows and the elimination of suffering. Figures on the balloons are overwhelming and seemingly inaccessible to the average person, but spilling down the walls are stories about grassroots organizations and individuals who are making huge impacts in their daily efforts to make the world a better place.
Audio Commentary by:
BruceMau
Explore the Exhibition:
Exhibition Introduction
Urbanization
Movement
Information
The Image
Markets
Energy
Materials
Military
Manufacturing
Living
Wealth & Politics
