At the end of the last recession, the United States’ deficit became a looming issue that spanned across most all news sources. It was an issue that symbolized not only a failed economy, but also the spin out of control through mismanagement, greed, lack of foresight, and unrealistic commitments. Furthermore, Americans were all told that a very significant portion of this deficit was “ours” and growing exponentially each day – just like the deficit itself.
Yet, as I went through each day, I was finding at least one discarded penny. So, since August 31, 2009, I have sent my found change via certified mail daily to the Bureau of the Public Debt, a sector of the Treasury Department whose purpose is to manage the growing deficit. If (by some chance) I do not find any change one day, then I send a penny of my own. I copy the President on all of my correspondence, archive all of my materials, and maintain a database of the projects entirety online.
Nicole Wilson is an artist living and working in Brooklyn, NY.
nicolemwils@gmail.com nicolewilson.com