Zero Cruzeiro
1974–1978
offset printing on paper
20 × 27 cm; 7 7/8 × 10 5/8 in
In Meireles’ seminal series, Insertion In Ideological Circuits 2: Banknote Project (1970), the artist printed politically subversive messages on American and Brazilian banknotes and sent them into circulation. This vandalism forced viewers to confront the reality of their political and economic systems and question their role and participation within said systems. This one series is emblematic of his larger body of work, which continues to intrigue and confound viewers today. Zero Cruzeiro (1974–78) and Zero Dollar (1978–84) make use of a similar strategy, proposing the use of fake money and questioning the value of capital, brought to complete worthlessness.
