Lawrence Weschler: Paper Money as Art
on Wednesday, January 25, 2017Lawrence Weschler Money Quote talking about the controversial money art of J.S.G. Boggs (who died today at 62 in Florida) and our understanding of the value of art and the art of money which Boggs explored. Lawrence Weschler said:
“What, precisely, is it that we value in art, or, for that matter, in money? How do we value one in terms of the other? Indeed, how do we place a value on anything at all? And, more specifically, how is it that we continue to redit the legitimacy of anything as confoundingly insubstantial as paper money?” — Lawrence Weschler
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This quote seems to be questioning how we determine and assign value to different things in society, especially things that are not very tangible.
It first asks what exactly we value in art, and also in money. Both of these – art and money – are not very concrete or substantial in themselves. Money is just paper, and art is an intangible creation.
The quote then questions how we can value one (art or money) in terms of the other. If they are both not very tangible, how can we compare their values?
It further questions how we place a value on anything at all, since value is a subjective construct determined by humans rather than an inherent property.
Finally, the quote specifically wonders how we continue to believe in and accept the legitimacy of something as insubstantial as paper money. If money is just paper, how can it be a stable store of value and means of exchange?
Overall, the quote seems to be raising philosophical questions about the nature of value and how societies determine the worth of different things, especially intangible creations and representations like art and money.