Insertions into Ideological Circuits 2: Banknote Project 1970

Curator: At first glance, this Brazilian banknote feels both familiar and unsettling. It’s pale, official-looking, yet defaced with text. Editor: Precisely. This is Cildo Meireles’ "Insertions into Ideological Circuits 2: Banknote Project." The artist stamped messages onto banknotes and returned them to circulation. Curator: So, the banknote transforms into a carrier of dissent. The original symbolism of national currency is subverted. Editor: Yes, Meireles highlights how even everyday objects can become tools for political expression and challenge the established order. It's a potent gesture of resistance. Curator: A very simple yet effective intervention; making us question the narratives embedded in our daily exchanges. Editor: It makes me consider the countless unseen messages potentially circulating right now.