1.First
define mercantilism, using material from your ALVC handbook, and explain how it
has developed since the Renaissance.
Mercantilism: It is a kind of economic system prevalent in
some Western Europe countries during the 16th,17th and 18th centuries asserting
that national wealth based on the collecting precious metals so that the
government have to foster the foreign trade surplus and increase national
commercial interests ,the establishment of colonies.Process of development: One
of religious and commercial wars happened during the period 1500-1800, in order
to cover the high cost of armies and civil, government of nations tended to
improve the use of domestic resources and acquire the precious metals, especially
gold. In order to promote the accumulation of bullion, under a mercantilist
policy the nations tended to maximize the exports, minimize the imports. The
production was assessed with the high quality and low cost so that make the
nation become competitive in foreign markets. Some treaties were made to enable
the mother country obtain the trading privileges and exploit in colonies.
2.
Identify the ideas or concepts in Hall's work that relate to Mercantilism?
Fiona Hall's work focuses on assessing the
relationship between the environment with the modern society. As her work
"Tender", Hall creates some fragile birds'. Apparently, with the
development of the global trade, the spread of economic programmes and
deforestation if demolishing the environment around us and depriving the
animal' area, ;like birds.When it comes to the other work, "Leaf
Litter", Hall contrasts the spine of the tree with background of money,
she wants to tell us the money grow on trees. In my point of view, Hall
disagrees the culture of what Mercantilism was, she wants to let us know the
money cannot exchange some priceless things, like the our environment.
3.
For each work describe the shape, form and materials used, and also explain the
ideas behind each example
The art work of 'Tender' was used tiny shreds
of US dollar notes to form different types of birds' nest. This denotes, in my
opinion, the beauty of the diversity of nature; how one could easily marvel at
the life of different species and see them as important factors to the earth's
ecosystem. Hall’s series of work ‘Leaf litter’, she painted life-size portraits
of leaves and used over 183 banknotes of different currency. This work
expresses the importance of money in our society, indicating that money is
vital but money can not buy everything.
4.In
your opinion do the materials communicate the ideas of the work? Please explain
your answer
Fiona Hall's pieces strongly evoke the pressing
issue of global trade and how the modern world is gradually killing nature.
Hall’s materials are carefully selected so they directly relate to the idea
behind her works. The ‘Tender’ series she specifically choses to use US dollar
bill because it is the most desirable currency. In my opinion, she use
materials such as dollar bills and banknotes in order to express the our
environment has damaged by globe trade.
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 volcanic islands of the Kermadec have
remained uninhabited and untouched. The Kermadecs offer refuge and feeding
grounds for a variety marine life and sea birds.Hall's works for 'The
Kermadecs', . She separates the land and sea to show the difference between
species, and out rightful place on this earth, but the connection between a
ship and the whale is a stark image that killed the whale, leaving it destitute
in its own habitat. Oil spills from the ships, and the background echoes the
image of the spilling poison. Again, the artist tend to evoke us realize the
urgent need to protect the Earth's marine environment.
