Investigations Money
Money is the subject on everyone's mind and is seen in so many different lights. Money is the root of all evil, money is green; money is a sign of success. Is someone who has a lot of money rich and someone with no money poor? Money is a subject that everyone can relate to and even though we might not like to have it consume our lives it is always in our thoughts. |
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| I went to Central Park with the theme of money and a couple of ideas to expand on. My initial idea was to engage with street musicians in either Central Park or on the subway and focus on the combination of their performance and the exchange of money from passing pedestrians. I couldn't have asked for a better song from the performer near the south side of the lake behind the boathouse. |
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"Have you ever had a friend that borrowed some money from you and never paid you back? You called 'em on the phone, they won't answer it, nope. You go by their house. They're peep'n through the blinds pretending that their not at home. You know how they do it.
So finally after about six months you see them out at the mall, shopping, with your money. Now that aint right!
So next time that happens, I want you to sneak up on them and whisper in their ear:
Give it up... Give it up... Give it up..."
Give it up!  QuickTime l Windows Media |
| Everyone loves a street performer. Money is ever-consuming, and is the subject that seems to connect this street performer to an audience of passers-by. My focus was to see the interaction between pedestrians, street performers and money. Ironically, I found that the idea of money was his focus as well. In his pursuit of money, it is obvious that in itself it is an idea that everyone can relate to. His engaging presence on this hot day in June is drawing a crowd of people from all over the world as he calls out: |
Performer: Where you from?
Pedestrian 1: Madrid, Spain
Performer: Madrid that's right, Where you from?
Pedestrian 2: Ireland.
Performer: and what about you, where you from?
Pedestrian 3: I am from around...
Performer: Where?
Pedestrian 3: Around
Performer: Around? (Addressing the rest of the audience) Their from around. Their just from around.
A pedestrian yells, "Puerto Rico!!"
Performer: Puerto Rico!!, Boriqua!! So you like it fast or slow. (He starts up on his bongo.) beet beet!! Bonk Bonk! Zeet!
Where you from?  QuickTime l Windows Media |
Money Chardonnay
It had been a long stressful day, and she has been craving a cold glass of Chardonnay and a nice hot shower. She is looking for something light and refreshing and definitely on the cheap side.
"Do you have any nice Chardonnay in the ten to fifteen dollar range?" she asks while laughing at herself in embarrassment.
The sales clerk motions to a bunch of sale signs, and remains assisting his current customer. She browses the collection of wines for sale looking at each bottle very closely. "How can you tell the difference between all of the wines." She thinks to herself. "Oh well, they all do the same thing, right?" she giggles quietly.
She decides to buy two bottles that have cute animals on the label.
Wine QuickTime l Windows Media |
Money Laundromat
She keeps her quarters in an old black leather change purse. It is starting to rip along the zipper, but she sees no point in buying a new one. She always grabs just enough quarters, eight to be exact, for the machines. She carefully places them one by one in a single row, before she pushes the handle in, starting the washer.
She has always found the Laundromat peaceful. The washers and dryers create a rhythmic and serene humming noise and she always feels calm as soon as she enters the doorway.
The man she always sees on Wednesdays is folding his laundry. He has a steady motion to his folds. She does not know his name, but pretends it is Matt in her head. She often daydreams about him... wondering what his life is like outside of these walls. Is he a chef? A banker? Maybe a struggling actor? She continues to elaborate in her head as she walks out the door.
She must return in half an hour for the dryer. She decides to head down the street to pick up some wine in the meantime.
Laundromat QuickTime l Windows Media
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