Memory of currency


2018-
Shells, 4K videos, inkjet prints


The project Memory of Currency is an attempt to create money fossils—links between modern currencies and seashells, which were used as currency before modern times. Inomata inserts a small nucleus—a foreign body—into an oyster shell. Each nucleus is modeled on the portrait of a person used as a symbol on national currency, such as George Washington, Queen Elizabeth, or Yukichi Fukuzawa, Inside the shell, the oyster covers the portrait with nacre, creating a pearl in the shape of the individual. The fusing of currency (manmade) with oysters (non-manmade) results in the emergence of a new kind of currency that is inseparable from a natural species. It leaves us contemplating the possibility that these works could one day be rediscovered as fossils by future humans.


  • Memory of currency
  • Memory of currency
  • Memory of currencyCourtecy of Seimei Tanaka, Takahiro Ishido・Yukino Kowaki・Keigo Yanagida (Hirota Site Museum), Kishin Himori・Asuka Taniyama・Hirohiro Koyamada (Space Art Tanegashima)
  • Installation view of Solo Exhibition “Memory of Currency”Photo: Hayato Wakabayashi
  • Installation view of Solo Exhibition “Memory of Currency”Photo: Hayato Wakabayashi
  • Installation view of Solo Exhibition “Memory of Currency”Photo: Hayato Wakabayashi
  • Installation view of Solo Exhibition “Memory of Currency”Photo: Hayato Wakabayashi
  • Installation view of Solo Exhibition “Memory of Currency”Photo: Hayato Wakabayashi
  • Installation view of Solo Exhibition “Memory of Currency”Photo: Hayato Wakabayashi
  • Installation view of Solo Exhibition “Memory of Currency”Photo: Hayato Wakabayashi
  • Installation view of Solo Exhibition “Memory of Currency”Photo: Hayato Wakabayashi
Share Contents
©    2023    AKI INOMATA.    All rights reserved.