DeadFlip
Infinite currency exchange machine
Year: 2021
Materials: cotton, fluorescent ink, gold base.
Dimensions: 3 yards
Location: Fabric Workshop and Museum. Philadelphia, USA
Photos: Carlos Avendaño / Fabric Workshop Museum
Deadflip is a creative exploration that merges the realms of finance, art, and gaming through silk screen repeat patterns on fabric. Developed within the Postgraduate Apprentice Training Program at the Fabric Workshop and Museum (FWM), the project aims to empower artists by honing their skills in fabric screenprinting and fostering collaboration among contemporary artists.
The artwork features a large-scale silk-screen repeat pattern on fabric, centering around the concept of an infinite currency exchange machine. This design draws inspiration from the visually engaging elements found in pinball machines and serves as a symbol of the perpetual flow of capital. It subtly incorporates architectural motifs from the Central Bank of Venezuela, establishing a connection to the nation's economic history. Alongside this, it intertwines a decade of bolivar-to-dollar exchange rates, traditional and digital currency symbols, and graphics from play-to-earn games, offering a complex narrative about the financial landscape in the era of hyper-capitalism.
To enhance the visual impact of the artwork, fluorescent inks were chosen to interact with a gold base over a washed cotton fabric, adding a sense of vibrancy and dynamism to the piece. The project spans a total length of 6 yards but was divided in half, with 3 yards archived within the FWM and the other 3 yards retained by the artist. This division sparks a unique dialogue about the perceived value and accessibility of art in different contexts.
In its entirety, 'Deadflip' encourages viewers to delve into the interplay between traditional and digital economies and to reflect on their profound impact on individuals and societies.
Project Process
The Apprenticeship: There are a few things I find are as elusive as the sensorial and emotional experience of fabric. Perhaps this has to do with its ubiquitousness, its multiplicity of meaning, and the translational power that resides within it. Fabric exists in language, in how we use it to think about society, in the origins of computer programming, and over our bodies, tracing time and technology to tell us individual and collective stories. This is why I was drawn to the apprenticeship at the FWM, cherishing the opportunity to engage with other artists, learn new skills, and gain hands-on experience in all aspects of textile fabrication, concept development, public engagement, and repeat yardage techniques.
Image References
Central Bank of Venezuela
The logo and architectural motifs of the Central Bank of Venezuela encapsulate the intricate role of financial institutions in shaping economic destinies.
Currency exchange data and symbols
A decade of bolivar-to-dollar exchange rates with both crypto and non-crypto currency symbols. This fusion captures the interplay between digital and traditional economies.
Pinball machine elements
The textile incorporates pinball machine parts, evoking the essence of the game. These elements infuse playfulness and dynamism into the textile's design.
Drakon: Online Play to Earn Game Symbols
The textile integrates graphics from the "Drakon" play-to-earn online game, enhancing the narrative of the interplay between traditional and digital economies and reflecting the evolving financial landscape in the face of hypercapitalism.