In God We Trust

Author: Naivy Pérez

Title: In God We Trust

Year: 2013

Genre: Installation

Dimensions: 20 x 20 x 15.5 in (Open)

Materials: Paper, portfolio

3 Limited Editions / 1 AP

STATEMENT

This phrase appears on American one-dollar bills after World War II, as if, due to the loss of their material value, these bills became a currency of FAITH, since ultimately a bill is just paper. According to the (official) bands around these bundles, the suitcase used in the artwork contains one million dollars.

In today’s world, money is sustained by the “Faith” of the people who use it, not by the existence of material backing or intrinsic value. This trust is based on a declaration –an assessment given by the monetary authority that issues it, which enjoys the confidence of the subjects who accept it– by the State, as well as the credit and security it is supposed to inspire. Without this declaration, the currency would have no value, and fiat money would then be as unbelievable as the pieces of paper it is printed on.

ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS

An open briefcase will contain 100 bundles, each with 100 blank “bills” sized to the American dollar. The artwork should be displayed in a dimly lit setting, with a halogen light emphasizing the area where the piece will be located.