Insertions into Ideological Circuits 2: Banknote Project 1970

Curator: Let's discuss Cildo Meireles' "Insertions into Ideological Circuits 2: Banknote Project." It's a politically charged piece where Meireles stamped banknotes with questions and statements. Editor: It feels like a whispered scream. Seeing that question, “Quem matou Herzog?” [Who killed Herzog?] on a banal object like a banknote... it's chilling. Curator: The artwork directly confronts state violence and censorship during the Brazilian military dictatorship. Herzog, a journalist, was murdered by the regime, and this work circulates that forbidden question. Editor: Exactly! Money talks, right? But here, it shouts. It’s a clever subversion, turning currency into a tool of resistance, spreading truth where it’s least expected. Curator: It highlights the power of art to disrupt established narratives and engage with crucial socio-political issues. Editor: It’s a haunting reminder that even small acts of defiance can carry immense weight.