FUNDREDS on View at Corcoran School of Arts and Design through March 12

Prospectus artist Mel Chin’s “The Fundred Dollar Bill Project” and the Corcoran School of the Arts and Design, Washington, DC, are pleased to announce presentation of “The Fundred Reserve” in the Corcoran’s Rotunda, Atrium and Gallery 1 through March 12.  Included are all 453,168 (and counting) of the Project’s hand-drawn representations of $100 bills created over the last decade throughout the US. All visitors will be invited to learn about the project and create their own unique Fundreds, a currency of imagination, which will be prominently added to the presentation.

Beginning in New Orleans, this extensive exhibition includes documents and artifacts of the decade-long effort to represent the people against lead toxicity in our environment. The massive, operational, two-ton SAFEHOUSE Door from New Orleans becomes the portal to the Rotunda where the beautifully appointed Fundred Presentation Pallet, topped with hundreds of thousands of bundled Fundreds, can be viewed. Wall-sized photo-mapping and investigations of the lead presence in DC, conducted by Corcoran graduate students, as well as original artworks by other students, are also featured.

Since its beginning in 2006, the Fundred Dollar Bill Project has evolved into a national collective project among Mel Chin Studio; MIT Co-Lab; several universities; museums; nonprofits (including The Arts Company/Artists in Context); lead poisoning prevention organizations; and thousands of schools throughout the United States. The Corcoran School of the Arts and Design at the George Washington University hosts the project headquarters this year, as engagement campaigns are developed in Washington, DC, and Flint, MI.

“The Fundred Reserve” will mark the launch of participatory national engagement throughout DC. In collaboration with District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) Arts, students from more than 46 schools are creating original Fundreds. The Fundred Armored Truck that has traveled 20,000 miles picking up the Fundreds from around the country will be redeployed for this launch, visiting the schools and accumulating the new DC Fundreds. This interactive presentation seeks to engage teachers, parents, students, politicians, community members and health and housing agencies—anyone who can donate their individual expression in this collective effort against lead poisoning of children. Draw a Fundred and your voice will join millions of others nationwide to address this ongoing crisis. Regular visiting hours are Wednesday – Sunday, 1-6 p.m. or by appointment through March 12.

Mel Chin’s FUNDRED-related Prospectus projects can be viewed here.