J.S.G. Boggs: Dollar is All Act of Faith

J.S.G. Boggs Money Quote saying we put great faith in our currency, but few understand that it only works because of the value we assign it and our trust that others have similar beliefs. J.S.G. Boggs said:
 

 

“It’s all an act of faith, nobody knows what a dollar is, what the word means, what holds the thing up, what it stands in for” — J.S.G. Boggs

 
and he continues “And that’s what my work is about” as an artist who explores the meaning of money in his work. Boggs died in 2016 with far less recognition than he deserved. Visit the related quotes from Boggs shown below for more on a great artist.
 

This quote from J.S.G. Boggs suggests that the value of money is ultimately based on collective faith and belief, rather than any intrinsic qualities. The best interpretation is that Boggs is pointing out that while money facilitates exchange, its worth comes from generally accepted perceptions rather than any objective measure.

People don’t truly know the inherent nature or essence of currency – what gives it value, what it represents in the deeper sense. Its value relies on shared trust without definitive answers.

So in essence, Boggs sees the economic system and the role of money within it as dependent on an act of collective faith by societies rather than absolute certainties. Money’s worth is upheld by belief rather than fully understood principles according to this view.

Birthday: January 16, 1955 – Death: January 22, 2017

J.S.G. Boggs: All Money is Art

J.S.G. Boggs saying several forms of art are present on currency, including multiple types of representational as well as decorative design. J.S.G. Boggs said:

“All money is art, If you look at a dollar, it’s portraiture, it’s landscape art, it’s abstract designs” — J.S.G. Boggs

This quote from J.S.G. Boggs suggests that money itself can be seen as a form of art. The best interpretation is that Boggs sees the portraits, landscapes and intricate designs featured on currency notes as artistic creations in their own right, comparable to other visual art genres.

By describing money as incorporating elements of portraiture, landscape art and abstraction, Boggs argues that banknotes have an aesthetic quality and are essentially works of graphic design.

So the quote casts the appearance and imagery on currency in an artistic light, implying that money transcends its functional role as a medium of exchange and store of value by also serving as miniature works of portable, widely-distributed public art.

Boggs seems to want people to appreciate the artistic craft that goes into currency design.

Birthday: January 16, 1955 – Death: January 22, 2017

J.S.G. Boggs: Art & Medium of Exchange

J.S.G. Boggs Money Quotation saying currency is art, as well as a representation of value which is universally accepted as a medium of exchange. J.S.G. Boggs said:
 

 

“One of the reasons money fascinates me as an image is that money is so many different things all at the same time. It’s a work of art, it’s a medium of exchange, it’s a representation. In short, it’s a representational work of art that represents many different things” — J.S.G. Boggs

This quote from J.S.G. Boggs further elaborates on his view that money has an artistic dimension in addition to its economic functions. The best interpretation is that Boggs sees currency as both a visually designed artistic object as well as a symbolic representation of economic and social concepts.

He notes that money simultaneously serves as a medium of exchange in transactions, a store of value, and a portable work of graphic art – fulfilling artistic, practical and symbolic roles simultaneously.

By describing money as “a representational work of art that represents many different things”, Boggs emphasizes how banknotes combine aesthetic craft with layers of conceptual meaning.

So in essence, the quote casts appreciation for the multifaceted nature of money as both a functional and representational/artistic creation according to Boggs’ perspective.

Birthday: January 16, 1955 – Death: January 22, 2017

J.S.G. Boggs: What is Money Really?

J.S.G. Boggs Money Quotation saying he would like those who view his art work to look beyond basic assumptions and ask what is cash? J.S.G. Boggs said:
 

 

“Most people make this mistake that my work is predominantly about money. And it’s really not… I want them to ask, ‘What is money, really?’” — J.S.G. Boggs

This quote suggests that while J.S.G. Boggs’ work features money and currency prominently as visual subject matter, his deeper aim is to provoke philosophical questions about the true nature and meaning of money beyond its practical functions.

The best interpretation is that Boggs wants viewers to reflect on more abstract concepts like how money is a social construct without intrinsic worth, how its value relies on collective faith systems, and how it simultaneously serves artistic, symbolic and economic roles.

So rather than just depicting money visually, Boggs seeks to use its image as a starting point for pondering money’s complex social and conceptual underpinnings.

The quote implies his artwork is less about money per se and more about stimulating thought about the deeper questions and paradoxes surrounding this ubiquitous yet ambiguous human invention.

Birthday: January 16, 1955 – Death: January 22, 2017

JSG Boggs: Value in Communication of Ideas

The image of money is a powerful, expressive symbol, of significant value” in the communication of ideas. Id. “It is, to state the obvious, a particularly effective symbol for the communication of ideas about money itself.” Id. It is clear that plaintiff uses his illustrations of money to illustrate and question “the meaning and uses of art and money in everyday life.” Boggs’ Aff. 7. Boggs’ use of illustrations of money are “intimately related to the expression and communication of [his] ideas.” Time, Inc. v. Regan, 539 F. Supp. at 1383. The publication or printing of illustrations of United States currency is protected speech under the First Amendment of the Constitution. Therefore, Mr. Boggs has a First Amendment right to create illustrations of United States currency absent constitutionally permissible overriding considerations.
Boggs v. Bowron, U.S. District Court, Washington D.C. Decided November 6, 1998 No. 97-5313

“The image of money is a powerful, expressive symbol, of significant value in the communication of ideas. It is, to state the obvious, a particularly effective symbol for the communication of ideas about money itself” — Boggs v. Bowron, U.S. District Court

In this quote from the U.S. District Court case Boggs v. Bowron, the court is recognizing the symbolic power of money as a form of expression and communication. The court acknowledges that money serves as “a powerful, expressive symbol” due to its ability to represent ideas and concepts, especially those related to its own function and role in economic and social systems.

By describing money’s image as being “of significant value in the communication of ideas,” the court affirms that depictions of currency can convey meaningful perspectives and viewpoints in a compelling visual manner given money’s strong cultural associations.

The quote conveys the court’s view that money provides an impactful symbolic medium for expression, especially when employed to express notions about the nature and role of currency itself within society.

Birthday: January 16, 1955 – Death: January 22, 2017

JSG Boggs: Abstractions – Something or Not

JSG Boggs Money Quotation saying Boggs Bills are an abstraction asking questions about ‘real’ money, another abstraction. JSG Boggs said:

“When you are dealing with an abstraction, the borderline between something and nothing is very subtle” — JSG Boggs

This quote from J.S.G. Boggs suggests that with abstract concepts and ideas, the distinction between what something is and what it is not can be quite nuanced and blurred. The best interpretation is that when dealing with notions that are intangible or not concretely defined, like the nature of value, meaning or identity, it becomes difficult to clearly delineate where the boundaries lie.

Boggs sees money itself as a kind of abstraction – something that only has worth based on collective belief rather than intrinsic properties. So in this quote, he appears to be commenting on how analyzing such abstract systems and symbols involves exploring subtle gradients and ambiguities rather than sharp divisions.

The border between essence and non-essence is “very subtle” when examining intangible ideas and representations according to Boggs’ perspective.

Birthday: January 16, 1955 – Death: January 22, 2017