Week 3 - Fiona Hall's work and Mercantillism

'Leaf Litter' (1999-2003)
'Tender'(2003-05)

Fiona Hall's contemporary work relates to the Renaissance concept of Mercantilism.

Research the two examples; 'Tender'(2003-05) and 'Leaf Litter'(1999-2003) to explain how they relate to this concept. First define mercantilism and explain how it has developed since the Renaissance. For each work you will need to describe the shape, form and materials of the work, and explain the ideas behind each example.These works were part of an art show titled 'Force Field' which can be viewed in one of the exhibition spaces on YouTube - Part Three: Fiona Hall: Force Field.

Definitions of Mercantilism

Mercantilism is the economic system of the major trading nations during the 16th, 17th, and 18th cent., based on the premise that national wealth and power were best served by increasing exports and collecting precious metals in return. It superseded the medieval feudal organization in Western Europe, especially in Holland, France, and England. The period 1500–1800 was one of religious and commercial wars, and large revenues were needed to maintain armies and pay the growing costs of civil government. Mercantilist nations were impressed by the fact that the precious metals, especially gold, were in universal demand as the ready means of obtaining other commodities; hence they tended to identify money with wealth.
(http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/mercantilism)

Mercantilism can as the economic system of major trading distributions during the 16th, 17th and 18th century, these focused on the idea behind national wealth and power were best received by increasing exports and collecting precious metals in return, such as gold, this would allow others to determine how wealthy an individual was. But since the renaissance the government has adapted to new customs and ones wealth is no longer judge by how much gold they have in their possession, but how much money they have.

Fiona Halls work 'Tender' relates to the concept of mercantilism as she incorporates nature(the leaves) with modern society(the dollar bills). Fiona Hall shows the fragile nature of money through her work 'Tender'. In Fiona Hall’s work there is an evident sense of her passion for the beauty and dependency of all living things. Only with dedicated love and commitment towards art would provide the immense patience required to create these delicate works of art.

With the series 'Leaf Litter' Fiona Hall seems to speak out that money is just paper, its not in any way tying us down or restricting us from what we love the most. She is pationatly concerned with the enviroment and the protection of it and how some enviroments are being overtext by the demands of commercial profitability. Also she reminds us that some of the once most burdened parts of the world are now amongst the poorest parts. There are some things in life that no amount of money can fix such as the enviroment. In this work she again reminds us of the fragile diversity of the natural world and how it can be broken so easily with just one small decision.

References

• http://dl.screenaustralia.gov.au/module/849/
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercantilism
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiona_Margaret_Hall
• http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/mercantilism