When we talk of economics we are often lead to think about the financial crisis, about banking, about markets and the movements of capital, yet the reach of economic effects extends far beyond this relatively small realm of activity. Economic thinking governs the decisions about the sharing of resources, the division of land and labour, terms of ownership whether that be public or private and the dissemination of wealth and commodities in a world that often denies many the rights to the most basic of life’s needs. During the recent financial crisis some of the stark and unjust effects of the subtle dominance of economics underpinning our lives became very clear.
As the increasing regularity of news stories detail the consequent effects of the weather, of transport and international relationships on the economy we are lead to believe that economics determine our way of life. Yet we rarely focus on the workings or functions of this quiet ruler or consider the decisions that create such a complex system, a system which for many is in accessible.
At the Intersection: Art and Economies is a 3 year project in which Iniva will innovate a range of artistic and creative approaches to explore the complex topic of economies.