Artmoney is an International art project established by the Danish artist, Lars Kræmmer, in 1997. Artmoney are original works of art the size of big bank notes (12x18 cm) and with a fixed value of Danish Kroner 200 (Around US$33 or €27).
Artmoney is attractive for art collectors, and can be spent as an alternative currency at shops and artists studios worldwide. Any artist can join artmoney and issue their own alternative currency, and there is no censorship on the visual expression. The project has generated a great deal of attention and debate because of its critical comments on art, finance and social cultural policy. More than 1300 artists from more than 40 countries participate as artmoney producers. More than $200,000,000 worth of art money has been issued during the first 15 years of the art projects life span. Artmoney has been featured with group exhibitions at several National and International galleries and venues and has been recognized as a real currency by International coin collectors and the National Museum of Denmark.
Twenty years ago, Lars Kraemmer, was travelling from Canada to Mexico. The only snag was he’d run out of money. Being resourceful as well as talented, Lars literally painted his way out of the problem, using art to pay for food, accommodations and whatever else he needed, including a used motorcycle. Several other trips like this followed, and this was the business plan that led him, together with a friend who believed in the idea, to devise the concept of Artmoney.
The ‘currency’ consists of handmade works of art created by people who have joined the movement in a 12 x 18 cm format at a fixed value of 200 kroner.
“The concept of exchanging art for goods and services is as old as humankind, and the value of art is recognised by all people. Art Money simply introduces a system that unites format and value to make exchange easy, fun and beautiful,” said Kraemmer.
Fast-forward to the present. The Artmoney concept obviously fell on fertile ground as it is now able to celebrate its 20th birthday. Today, it has spread to more than 50 countries and Frederiksberg is the ‘Artmoney Capital of the World’.
I personally have been following ArtMoney for over 13 years. I have created, sold & exchanged ArtMoney. I feel that it is a hidden gem, waiting to be discovered. Artmoney is cryptocurrency for the artists'!!!
What must have seemed like a utopian dream... painting your own money, has become real, and anyone can join the project!
You can find more information about ArtMoney at http://artmoney.org/
Flickr ArtMoney Group https://www.flickr.com/groups/artmoney/
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