Inspired by Bjorks song, Declare Independence, this design features a portrait of the singer and song lyrics. This is my first note design to feature paint swirls, which gives it a Pop Art feel, taking the edge of the transgressive sentiment of the song. Theyre not actual paint swirls, but Illustrator-generated patterns that come from my experiments with generative and randomized design
The text reads:
DECLARE INDEPENDENCE
START YOUR OWN CURRENCY
MAKE YOUR OWN STAMP
PROTECT YOUR LANGUAGE
DAMN COLONISTS
IGNORE THEIR PATRONIZING
TEAR OFF THEIR BLINDFOLDS
OPEN THEIR EYES
Bjork
I think it was very perceptive of Bjork to express currency as inherent to a peoples identity. Banknotes are a calling card for a country, and paper currencies have been known to fail because they didnt represent a defined culture or region.
The two forces at play in the world__with regards to currency creation__are Globalism, on the one hand, and Localism on the other. Examples of Globalism would be global corporations, multiculturalism and supra-national entities, such as the United Nations and IMF. Examples of Localism would be the desire to secede, a return to previous agricultural methods, community gardens, and the rediscovery of local and national identity.
In general, peoples desires and wants (in the Western world) embody both Localism and Globalism. However, the balance is tipping. Globalism has been well marketed for the last 100 years or so. But Localism is emergent, and will become the dominant structure for the developed worlds identity in the near future. One aspect of this trend will surely be the increasing use of local, independent and alterative currencies
Ive also added my own microtext__minute text that can only be read by magnifying the note:
The text reads HUMANS ARE MESSY / WE CANNOT BE CONTROLLED. This is a reference to the unpredictable nature of humans expressing their freewill, and the strength in the human races diversity; our biological and cultural differences actually makes us more unpredictable and anti-fragile.
I hope to translate the note into the following languages (volunteers are welcome!
.
Basque
Catalonian
Czech
French
Galician
Italian
Romanian
Russian
Spanish
Swedish
