The Fundred Project is a nationwide art initiative developed by artist
Mel Chin to draw attention to the devastating effects of lead-contaminated soil in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. He is asking people throughout the U.S. to draw 300 million Fundreds -- pieces of art that resemble hundred dollar bills and can be decorated however the participants see fit.
An armored truck is criss-crossing the country to pick up the completed Fundreds and Chin plans to present them to the U.S. Congress with a request to exchange this "creative capital" for three billion real dollars to fix the soil in New Orleans. Last night, a group gathered at Pittsburgh's Office of Public Art to get involved.
Drawing supplies and refreshments -- plus info about Chin's art project -- were provided. But you didn't need to attend that event in order to participate, says Renee Piechocki, director of the city's Office of Public Art. "We're doing it as a way to get together," she says of the Tuesday night meeting, "but anyone can go to fundred.org and print out a template."
"It's a project a lot of people are participating in nationwide," Piechocki says. "You can go to the website and order Fundred templates or print them out, and then bring them to either the Arts Council or the Frame Gallery" on CMU's campus once they're completed. "Any class, group of artists, group of neighbors or a family can do it."
You'll find more details about Fundreds and Chin's quest to raise awareness about environmental problems in New Orleans at
fundred.org. The deadline for dropping off your completed Fundreds at the
Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council is Fri., Mar. 26. Fundreds will be accepted
CMU's Frame Gallery until the morning of Mar. 29 -- that's when the armored car is scheduled to arrive for pick-up.
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here.Writer: Melissa Rayworth
Source: Renee Piechocki, Pittsburgh Office of Public Art
Image courtesy of The Fundred Project