This project is a work in progress which began in April 2013 around the time that Canadian pennies were phased out of circulation. Morgen Bardati conceived of the idea to create an Old Age Security Blanket when she first became aware of the coming 'extinction' of the humble penny. Something in this event sparked an interest for the artist in exploring ideas around the movement of money. The loss of the penny, the first and smallest unit of trade, presented to her a metaphor for the extinction of 'small and slow'. It also spoke to her of the loss of handmade traditions and their connections to place as artisans around the world struggle to survive waves of change and upheaval.
When the penny was deemed 'worthless' it awakened an interest in the concept of inflation – the idea that money is created from the void between the making and growing to the final point of sale. Our financial security in the form of pension plans, life insurance, savings and investments are built on the idea of never ending expansion.
This is also a journey of discovery for the artist into the meaning of security. The pennies themselves are a symbol of this journey. Each of them have been touched by so many people and experiences along the way, and just like us, they tell a story.
“Each a small world in itself, a small sun, with a lifetime of experiences, travel throughs, people met……………………. a small sun with life and actions revolving around it’s tiny potent power. Traveling through a thousand stories, transactions of pain, of fair or unfair exchange. We carry a pocket full of traveling fears, rewards, pain or trade fors. Each coin bears the marks of it’s journey and carries the songs and tears of people met.
Each one touched along the way.”
‘Old Age Security Blanket Accounting Ledger’ - Morgen Bardati