The PUBlic Window: JOHN TODD

CHARLIE TAKES CONTROL

2024

Studying fine art practices at Newcastle Polytechnic (University of Northumbria at Newcastle) in the 1990s has allowed John Todd AKA Toddatthebiscuittinstudio39 to implement a wide range of practical & technical abilities such as Printmaking, wood / stone sculpting / carving & metalwork, just a fraction of the disciplines covered & all of which deemed necessary when approaching a variety of projects when running a mixed media / multi-disciplined artist’s practice

Title:‘Charlie Takes Control.’ (2024)

Installation comprises:- 10cm Diameter White Porcelain Ashtrays. Pre-Polymer New Elizabethan Shredded Sterling Bank Notes.£50, £20, £10 & £5 notes. (£50,000 – £20,0000)

Currency counting machines & ATMs allow for the cross contamination of ‘illicit substances’

This powder based cross contamination means that almost every Sterling Banknote in current circulation contains a trace element of one type or another illegal substance.

Whether it’s a psychological or physical form of addiction there’s always a price to be paid. As a willing or unwilling ‘consumer’ the addict’s individual dependency consistently impacts on their daily life. At what cost ? Is substance abuse versus what’s considered less destructive a good place to start? Shopping for example, often considered as a therapy can also be considered equally harmful when we consider the financial consequences.Gambling where does that fit in the run of things? Words & phrases also create a hierarchy. ‘Smack Head’ places the blame slap bang on the victim whereas ‘shopaholic’ trivialises the problem & assumes it’s a harmless middle class behavioural addiction. There are specifically designed disposal receptacles for syringes. You’re told to cut up the credit card & bin it. The giving-up is the aim of the addict / victim however, it’s also the end result as well as the failure to complete the programme. It’s being both on & off the wagon. It’s about a fragmented & dysfunctional society. Alternately it’s about societal change or even the lack of it.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

‘Sterling Work Collection’ is the name given to a collection of mixed media artworks. The creation of this collection was only made possible due to the involvement of ‘The Bank of England.’ In 2014 & after several years of complex discussions with The Bank of England Toddatthebiscuittinstudio39 was pleased to obtain millions of pounds worth of shredded banknotes. The fragmented materials consist of shredded pre-polymer, £50s,£20s £10s & £5 paper Sterling banknotes.The original request for the decommissioned Pre-Polymer paper notes was born out of an idea to explore individual relationships & their wider connection held within British Society & beyond. After serving their monetary purpose the notes were deemed spent & taken out of U.K. circulation. They had served their purpose & were now considered useless & redundant. Their life cycle was over. The notes were to be destroyed & shredded. Fortunately, Todd at The Biscuit Tin Studio 39 intercepted the fragmented shredded Sterling notes from being permanently destroyed.The fragmented notes now create various artworks ranging from Ready mades & mixed media pieces right through to site specific installations. ‘Charlie Takes Control’  is just one of the pieces created from this banking collaboration.

For more information about John Todd’s work see @toddatthebiscuittinstudio39