March 2, 2004

{ ANTARCTICA Dream-Dollars }

Wow. I'm not even sure how to begin to describe this one. Partially because I only half understand it myself, and partially because the work is so incredible and the idea so perfectly executed that it would be nearly impossible for me to give a description that does this work justice. The quick of it is this: Stephen Barnwell is a artist whom creates works of art that are in the form of fictional currency, for use in the fictionally established country of Antarctica. Easy, right? It is, but Mr. Barnwell didn't stop there. He has gone and created a deep and far-reaching history of this money and the land it is for, dating back into the mid 1800's. Not only that, but he has written many additional short stories that tell us of the colonies, politicians, inventions, sciences, and the grand adventures of the peoples of his dreamt settlement. Once you digest the idea along with it's historic details, you begin to look at the bills themselves and realize the amazing attention paid to their minute details as well. The care taken to be sure that they are, well, believable. The colors are rich, the styles are unique, yet classic, and the pieces themselves so finely crafted that it makes you wish our governments had all previously employed Mr. Barnwell to create the various monies that we use daily. This is great stuff kids, don't sleep. The so-called "Dream-Dollars" are available for purchase in singles ($2), sets ($10), uncut sheets ($15), and even 11x14" prints ($15!). Hint: Send them a SASE with a nice note and they'll send you back a FREE single (and tell them I sent you).

» Check out ANTARCTICA.

By Garrett in Art