Shadi Jafarabadi: Robinienhof
Interview: Gamze Can. Published on 20th SEP 2024.
Hello Shadi, it’s wonderful to have you as part of the GOLDSTÜCKE program! Congratulations on your participation and for bringing such a thought-provoking project to this year’s event. We’re excited to learn more about your artistic practice, your inspirations, and the fascinating research behind your work.
— Are you familiar with Gelsenkirchen and the GOLDSTÜCKE? What motivated you to apply for the Open Call?
In December 2023, I participated in a video mapping workshop at my university. Working in a harmonious and friendly team was a lot of fun for me, which sparked a strong interest in continuing to work on video mapping projects in the upcoming semesters.
— How would you describe your artistic practice?
The creation of the collage was more complex and time-consuming than I had anticipated. I wanted to include as many images from banknotes around the world as possible, but due to the vast number of currencies, this wasn’t feasible. Therefore, I focused more on political motifs and lesser-seen images on banknotes.
— What aspects were particularly important to you during the creation of your artwork? What core idea inspired your current work, and what message do you want to convey with it?
The message I aim to convey is that currency devaluation, often caused by internal or external factors such as corrupt governments and sanctions, can severely impact purchasing power and, consequently, the quality of life. This devaluation shifts perceptions of value and importance both domestically and internationally. Beyond causing death, poverty, and misery, such economic struggles can also foster stereotypes, lead to social exclusion, and further undermine self-esteem, especially in an era of globalization and digitalization, where nearly everyone is connected to the world. Through my work, I aim to highlight these inequalities and explore the broader impact of economic and political issues on individuals’ daily lives and self-perception.
— In your work, you delve deeply into the theme of currency and its development. Were there any insights or surprises during your research that particularly impressed you or challenged your previous assumptions?
During my research, I was surprised to discover that there was an agreement between Iran and Germany during World War I to establish a common currency, aimed at strengthening their economic relationship.
I found it particularly interesting that the front side of banknotes often features an important figure from the respective country, while the back side depicts cultural rituals, regional and symbolic animals, scientific achievements, and historical buildings that represent national pride. This connection between identity, culture, and economy fascinated me.
A question that particularly occupies my mind is what will happen when digital currencies are fully implemented worldwide and physical money disappears. What symbols will then be used to represent national identity and cultural values?