Fiona Hall's work

1. First define mercantilism, using material from your ALVC handbook, and explain how it has developed since the Renaissance.
Mercantilism is the government having control over import and export to foreign countries. It was common in western european countries in the 16th to late 18th centuries. Mercantilism works when a country (e.g England) colonises another country to exploit their resources. They then increase the countries income by exporting goods more than they import. Since the Renaissance, Mercantilism is more focused on rapid economic growth through advanced technology.
2. Identify the ideas or concepts in Hall's work that relate to Mercantilism?
Hall's work focuses on money and the fact that very few people in this world today can live without money. She created a piece called 'Tender' that was bird nests made from US one dollar bills. She is also making something natural out of money.
3. For each work describe the shape, form and materials used, and also explain the ideas behind each example.
Fiona Hall's 'Tender' are shreded US dollars shaped into bird nests. Another piece of work is 'Leaf Litter' which is some sort of left stuck onto a background of money.
4. In your opinion do the materials communicate the ideas of the work? Please explain your answer.
Yes, I think they do. The bird nests represent the tender nurturing of a mother and the money also represents tender or legal tender. This means it has a double meaning. 'Leaf Litter' also pays with the meaning of money by putting something natural onto money.
5. Fiona Hall's recent project The Kermadecs focuses on issues around the Pacific ocean. Research this project to summarize the importance of the area and upload an image to your blog for discussion.
The Kermadecs Trench, which is in between New Zealand's North Island and Tonga, is important because is it untouched and a very diverse ocean region. It has a range of environments and organisms which contribute to the ecosystem.