The Collection of the EoS 10^15 (ed. 3) is an artist book that takes on the form of an auction catalogue for a sale by a quadrillionaire family dubbed the "Empire of Smoke (EoS 10^15)." Set in 2068, the EoS 10^15 is relocating into a remote bunker as the Earth has become increasingly uninhabitable through environmental degradation, widespread social unrest and ceaseless waves of global pandemics. Since their vast wealth derives from 17th century Spice Wars and the tobacco trade as well as their deep financial ties to the military-industrial complex, the catalogue showcases family possessions reflecting their virulent capitalist heritage and consumption-driven lifestyle over generations. Glow used VR, 3D modeling and printing, and fine craftsmanship to create both digital and physical works spanning unique paintings, decadent toys, tobacco paraphernalia, luxurious jewelry to rare perfume bottles. Jeong-A Kim (art historian and researcher) wrote the text with Glow. Together, Glow and Kim set out to create a book that touches on the true, somber historical facts behind the satirical, haunting aesthetic manifested in the objects yet imagines an alternative history and future dominated by this family. The distorted history and slanted future reflected in the writing is intended to raise a clarion call about the dire consequences of our extractive economy against a backdrop of severe climate change.
This project was made possible thanks to the generous support of 601Artspace (88 Eldridge Street, New York, NY 10002) as part of the Collaborative Survival group exhibition.
Read the Hyperallergic review here.
Visit the accompanying web project Nicot & Tang
NOTES:
116 pages; 113 full color illustrations; 8.5 x 11 x 0.31 in
This publication was first made possible thanks to the generous support of Danni Shen and 601Artspace.
The many research and production aspects of this work were made possible by an ecosystem of support encompassing, but not limited to, the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery and the National Numismatic Collection, Smithsonian National Museum of American History through the Smithsonian Artist Research Fellowship; Smack Mellon; Lower Manhattan Cultural Council Workspace; LaGuardia Studio at New York University; the Yale-NUS College Artist-in-Residence Programme and Fab Lab team; and NTU Centre for Contemporary Art.