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Eugenia Lim: The People’s Currency

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Event description

Eugenia Lim: The People’s Currency

This Lunar New Year, join Eugenia Lim for The People’s Currency. Taking its name from Renminbi (China’s currency), this performance work explores the social impacts of globalisation upon those who seek their fortunes in the factories of China – the ‘workshop of the world’. The People’s Currency turns Darling Harbour into RENMINCONN, a closed-loop ‘special economic zone’. Dressed as a gold, Mao-suited ‘Ambassador’, Lim will inhabit a factory printing counterfeit currency of her own design and act as floor manager to this ‘factory’ of workers. In exchange for their handiwork, the ‘employee’ will be remunerated in The People’s Currency. Originally created in 2017 for Asia TOPA, The People’s Currency has been commissioned by 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art, Sydney, Australia, and is presented in partnership with the Australian National Maritime Museum.

"Since The People's Currency's original commissioning by 4A in 2017, the world has changed irrevocably. The pandemic and the climate emergency mean our lives and futures have never been both more separated and connected. For me, it's such an interesting moment to revisit this work, and I'm thrilled and honoured to don the golden suit to perform and connect with audiences in the context of the Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour in the heart of Sydney, on Gadigal lands." — Eugenia Lim

About RENMINCONN  / 关于人民网

Welcome to RENMINCONN (The People’s Factory or Workshop of the World). RENMINCONN was established in the Lunar New Year of the Rooster in 2017. Its original HQ was in Federation Square, Melbourne. Now, taking the world by storm in 2022, RENMINCONN has come to Darling Harbour just in time for the Lunar New Year of the Tiger! We are the proud producers of the iDevices ©  on which the world depends. Our lives now depend on these iDevices © as much as we need to depend on each other. Our phones are an extension of our eyes, ears and limbs. One day, we may not need anything other than these reflections of our ‘smart selves’. Loneliness will disappear. What we make at RENMINCONN ensures that the world continues to both turn and trade.

The work / 工作内容

If you so choose, you will enter into short-term employment with RENMINCONN as a WORKER under the control of our esteemed AMBASSADOR. You will be issued an iDevice © and the necessary work tools. Privacy is of utmost importance so we can’t reveal too much – and we ask that you keep the details of your work to yourself. But know this – in this factory, whatever you touch will turn to gold.

How to join RENMINCONN / 如何加入人民网

You can join in two ways:

  • As a participant

Register here via Humanitix. Please note, bookings are strictly limited to ensure the safety of participants and staff. Please read the COVID-19 safety guidelines for participation at the bottom of this page before registering. You are required to wear a mask when inside the installation and show proof of vaccination (for participants above 16 years of age).

  • As a spectator

No registration is required. You are required to wear a mask while viewing the installation. 

Once you have registered as a participant via Humanitix you can enter the RENMINCONN Factory. 

You will then be given:

  • a uniform (you must put this on before entering the factory floor)
  • work tools 
  • an iDevice ©

Then, wait by the SILVER FACTORY where you will be given further instructions. At the close of your shift, you must return your uniform, device and work tools to an EMPLOYMENT OFFICER and clock-off. 

Rate of pay / 薪资

All workers are remunerated in THE PEOPLE’S CURRENCY (renminbi or RMB). At the close of your shift, the AMBASSADOR will inspect the quality of workmanship and, if deemed worthy, the AMBASSADOR may allow the worker to exchange their pay for an iDevice © of their choice. Loyal workers and repeat shifts are encouraged.

Enjoy your work with RENMINCONN and our esteemed AMBASSADOR!

COVID-19 Safety 

4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art and the Australian National Maritime Museum are committed to protecting the health and safety of our audience and staff by minimising the spread of COVID-19. 

Please note, the RENMINCONN experience only allows bookings for up to four people every hour. All participants over the age of 16 in The People’s Currency must have received 2 doses of an authorised COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccination status will be checked at the start of your booking and participants who are not fully vaccinated will not be able enter the installation. Participants and spectators for the performance of The People’s Currency at the Maritime Museum will be required to wear a face mask at all times when inside or viewing the installation. Please bring your own mask, otherwise we will supply you with a mask upon entry. Please check in to The People’s Currency via the QR code on site.

Between bookings, staff will reset the installation and sanitise contact surfaces and equipment. We thank you for your patience and understanding while we prepare the installation between bookings and ensure it is as safe as possible for all participants and staff.  

If you have been a close COVID-19 contact or you are feeling unwell, please self-isolate and seek testing immediately as per current NSW health advice, and do not visit The People’s Currency. We will continue to monitor the advice of NSW Health and update our guidance as appropriate. 

Many thanks for helping us keep our community safe! For more information about the Australian National Maritime Museum’s COVID-19 policy and 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art, please see the links at the bottom of the page. 

INFORMATION LINKS: 

https://4a.com.au/exhibitions/...

https://www.sea.museum/covid-19-update/covid-19-information-for-visitors


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