OUGD406 - Studio Brief 02 - Further Research Into the Theme of Money Within Art

Money, either the subject of or the physical use of, is a recurring theme that is prevalent in the work of many artists today. A famous example of which would be the 'K Foundation Burn a Million Quid' performance act that occurred in August 1994. Initiated by The K Foundation (Bill Drummond and Jimmy Cauty, formally of the band The KLF), the performance consisted of the burning of one million pounds sterling in cash. The money itself had come from a surplus supply of money that Drummond and Cauty had collectively earned through royalties accrued after the deformation of the band. There was no initial thought behind the burning of the money, other than that it was just a possibility.

K Foundation burn a million Quid, K Foundation, 1994

Another artist who uses the theme of money within her work is Janice Kerbel, a London based fine artist known for her rigorous and detailed studies. In 1999 she posed as an architect student for a year and a half at the Lombard Street branch of the Coutts and Co. bank. During this time she collected exhaustive information on the bank and once her research was complete, she published a highly detailed instruction manual on how to rob it, entitled 15 Lombard St (2000). The manual included surveillance photos of the bank and the surrounding city centre, maps, timetables, specifications for the security systems, minute by minute timelines, copious equipment lists, getaway maps, written texts where she describes foreseen diversions to facilitate a getaway cars, and directions to a hideout location in Spain - in essence, a blueprint for a perfect heist. This information is then presented to an audience who may use it to access the bank themselves.

Bank Job, Janice Kerbel, 1999