Projects
The Currency Project is a conceptual art piece and social practice that explores value creation and value transfer. In response to the economic crisis of 2020, Abdul Mazid and Julian Lombardi (collaborative duo: "zeptos.org") created and implemented the project in April of the same year.
The project leverages social engagement as a means to investigate contemporary theories surrounding currency, value, and markets. It’s objectives include challenging traditional notions of value and exploring alternative systems of exchange.
The project leverages social engagement as a means to investigate contemporary theories surrounding currency, value, and markets. It’s objectives include challenging traditional notions of value and exploring alternative systems of exchange.
The social practice element of The Currency Project actively engages the public through dynamic platforms and immersive events. These include live public offerings of trace currency, interactive exhibitions, social media interactions, and live performances within the trading card community.
Within the context of The Currency Project, trace currency refers to trading cards that undergo a precise process of customization, serialization, and inclusion in a General Ledger for tracking and authentication. The General Ledger serves as a vital record, methodically documenting the flow of value and transactions within the project, providing transparency, accountability, and a historical record of its evolution.
Through these engagements, the project aims to delve deeper into the intricate concepts surrounding currency as a form of transactional storage of value. It encourages participants and observers to reflect on the underlying mechanisms that govern our economic systems, the social and cultural significance of value, and the potential for alternative forms of exchange beyond traditional monetary frameworks.
Overall, the project acts as a catalyst for critical examination, bridging the gap between art, economics, and social interaction. It invites participants and audiences alike to question the boundaries and possibilities of value creation and exchange while provoking thoughtful conversations about the intricate relationship between art, economics, and society.
