Reflective Encounters

“In and of itself, blockchain technology has the potential to radically change how we use online networks in ways that could be secure and democratic. The human race has instead decided that the best use of this tech is to create funny money for buying crap art. Alternative Economies digs a little deeper into the underlying psychological rot behind cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. Artist Rehana Zaman collects her thoughts by pulling together Scrooge McDuck cartoons, US talk shows promoting cryptocurrency, and the critical thoughts of financial services regulator Rachel Bardiger.

Set against this is a document of Zaman’s time with herbalist Rasheeqa Ahmad, brewing a herbal remedy and discussing the benefits of mushrooms and the riches of nature’s kitchen. An ecosystem, of course, is a circular organism, continually destroying to render things anew – and in contrasting her discussions with Ahmad against the exploits of Scrooge McDuck, Zaman highlights capitalism’s consume-and-grow-at-all-costs nature. Blockchain proffers us the hopes of a healthier digital ecosystem, and yet, the production of Bitcoin worldwide currently consumes more energy annually than all of Argentina. This Ponzi scheme masquerading as a circular economy will eventually break – but the question is who will pay the price when it does?”

— Fedor Tot