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Presentation Pallet made by Mel Chin (American, born 1951). <em>Fundred Reserve</em>, 2008–2019. Paper, hemp twine, white oak, bronze, silk, brass, pigment, patina, Styrofoam, wood, Fundreds, height per bundle, approx.: 5 1/2 in. (14 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Artists of the Fundred Project, initiated by Mel Chin, 2019.29. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2019.29_in_situ_01_PS20.jpg)
Presentation Pallet made by Mel Chin (American, born 1951). Fundred Reserve, 2008–2019. Paper, hemp twine, white oak, bronze, silk, brass, pigment, patina, Styrofoam, wood, Fundreds, height per bundle, approx.: 5 1/2 in. (14 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Artists of the Fundred Project, initiated by Mel Chin, 2019.29. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2019.29_in_situ_01_PS20.jpg)
Presentation Pallet made by Mel Chin (American, born 1951). <em>Fundred Reserve</em>, 2008–2019. Paper, hemp twine, white oak, bronze, silk, brass, pigment, patina, Styrofoam, wood, Fundreds, height per bundle, approx.: 5 1/2 in. (14 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Artists of the Fundred Project, initiated by Mel Chin, 2019.29. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2019.29_in_situ_01_PS20.jpg)

Presentation Pallet made by Mel Chin (American, born 1951). Fundred Reserve, 2008–2019. Paper, hemp twine, white oak, bronze, silk, brass, pigment, patina, Styrofoam, wood, Fundreds, height per bundle, approx.: 5 1/2 in. (14 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Artists of the Fundred Project, initiated by Mel Chin, 2019.29. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2019.29_in_situ_01_PS20.jpg)

Presentation Pallet made by Mel Chin (American, born 1951). <em>Fundred Reserve</em>, 2008–2019. Paper, hemp twine, white oak, bronze, silk, brass, pigment, patina, Styrofoam, wood, Fundreds, height per bundle, approx.: 5 1/2 in. (14 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Artists of the Fundred Project, initiated by Mel Chin, 2019.29. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2019.29_in_situ_02_PS20.jpg)

Presentation Pallet made by Mel Chin (American, born 1951). Fundred Reserve, 2008–2019. Paper, hemp twine, white oak, bronze, silk, brass, pigment, patina, Styrofoam, wood, Fundreds, height per bundle, approx.: 5 1/2 in. (14 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Artists of the Fundred Project, initiated by Mel Chin, 2019.29. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2019.29_in_situ_02_PS20.jpg)

Presentation Pallet made by Mel Chin (American, born 1951). <em>Fundred Reserve</em>, 2008–2019. Paper, hemp twine, white oak, bronze, silk, brass, pigment, patina, Styrofoam, wood, Fundreds, height per bundle, approx.: 5 1/2 in. (14 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Artists of the Fundred Project, initiated by Mel Chin, 2019.29. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2019.29_in_situ_detail01_PS20.jpg)

Presentation Pallet made by Mel Chin (American, born 1951). Fundred Reserve, 2008–2019. Paper, hemp twine, white oak, bronze, silk, brass, pigment, patina, Styrofoam, wood, Fundreds, height per bundle, approx.: 5 1/2 in. (14 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Artists of the Fundred Project, initiated by Mel Chin, 2019.29. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2019.29_in_situ_detail01_PS20.jpg)

Presentation Pallet made by Mel Chin (American, born 1951). <em>Fundred Reserve</em>, 2008–2019. Paper, hemp twine, white oak, bronze, silk, brass, pigment, patina, Styrofoam, wood, Fundreds, height per bundle, approx.: 5 1/2 in. (14 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Artists of the Fundred Project, initiated by Mel Chin, 2019.29. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2019.29_in_situ_detail02_PS20.jpg)

Presentation Pallet made by Mel Chin (American, born 1951). Fundred Reserve, 2008–2019. Paper, hemp twine, white oak, bronze, silk, brass, pigment, patina, Styrofoam, wood, Fundreds, height per bundle, approx.: 5 1/2 in. (14 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Artists of the Fundred Project, initiated by Mel Chin, 2019.29. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2019.29_in_situ_detail02_PS20.jpg)

Presentation Pallet made by Mel Chin (American, born 1951). <em>Fundred Reserve</em>, 2008–2019. Paper, hemp twine, white oak, bronze, silk, brass, pigment, patina, Styrofoam, wood, Fundreds, height per bundle, approx.: 5 1/2 in. (14 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Artists of the Fundred Project, initiated by Mel Chin, 2019.29. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Photo: Benjamin C Tankersley, courtesy Fundred Project, 2019.29_FundredPalletandSignIMG_0069.jpg)

Presentation Pallet made by Mel Chin (American, born 1951). Fundred Reserve, 2008–2019. Paper, hemp twine, white oak, bronze, silk, brass, pigment, patina, Styrofoam, wood, Fundreds, height per bundle, approx.: 5 1/2 in. (14 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Artists of the Fundred Project, initiated by Mel Chin, 2019.29. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Photo: Benjamin C Tankersley, courtesy Fundred Project, 2019.29_FundredPalletandSignIMG_0069.jpg)

Presentation Pallet made by Mel Chin (American, born 1951). <em>Fundred Reserve</em>, 2008–2019. Paper, hemp twine, white oak, bronze, silk, brass, pigment, patina, Styrofoam, wood, Fundreds, height per bundle, approx.: 5 1/2 in. (14 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Artists of the Fundred Project, initiated by Mel Chin, 2019.29. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Photo: Benjamin C Tankersley, courtesy Fundred Project, 2019.29_FundredPalletIMG_0016.jpg)

Presentation Pallet made by Mel Chin (American, born 1951). Fundred Reserve, 2008–2019. Paper, hemp twine, white oak, bronze, silk, brass, pigment, patina, Styrofoam, wood, Fundreds, height per bundle, approx.: 5 1/2 in. (14 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Artists of the Fundred Project, initiated by Mel Chin, 2019.29. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Photo: Benjamin C Tankersley, courtesy Fundred Project, 2019.29_FundredPalletIMG_0016.jpg)

Presentation Pallet made by Mel Chin (American, born 1951). <em>Fundred Reserve</em>, 2008–2019. Paper, hemp twine, white oak, bronze, silk, brass, pigment, patina, Styrofoam, wood, Fundreds, height per bundle, approx.: 5 1/2 in. (14 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Artists of the Fundred Project, initiated by Mel Chin, 2019.29. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Photo: Benjamin C Tankersley, courtesy Fundred Project, 2019.29_FundredDetailIMG_0035.jpg)

Presentation Pallet made by Mel Chin (American, born 1951). Fundred Reserve, 2008–2019. Paper, hemp twine, white oak, bronze, silk, brass, pigment, patina, Styrofoam, wood, Fundreds, height per bundle, approx.: 5 1/2 in. (14 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Artists of the Fundred Project, initiated by Mel Chin, 2019.29. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Photo: Benjamin C Tankersley, courtesy Fundred Project, 2019.29_FundredDetailIMG_0035.jpg)

Presentation Pallet made by Mel Chin (American, born 1951). <em>Fundred Reserve</em>, 2008–2019. Paper, hemp twine, white oak, bronze, silk, brass, pigment, patina, Styrofoam, wood, Fundreds, height per bundle, approx.: 5 1/2 in. (14 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Artists of the Fundred Project, initiated by Mel Chin, 2019.29. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Photo: Benjamin C Tankersley, courtesy Fundred Project, 2019.29_FundredPalletDetailIMG_0103.jpg)

Presentation Pallet made by Mel Chin (American, born 1951). Fundred Reserve, 2008–2019. Paper, hemp twine, white oak, bronze, silk, brass, pigment, patina, Styrofoam, wood, Fundreds, height per bundle, approx.: 5 1/2 in. (14 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Artists of the Fundred Project, initiated by Mel Chin, 2019.29. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Photo: Benjamin C Tankersley, courtesy Fundred Project, 2019.29_FundredPalletDetailIMG_0103.jpg)

Presentation Pallet made by Mel Chin (American, born 1951). <em>Fundred Reserve</em>, 2008–2019. Paper, hemp twine, white oak, bronze, silk, brass, pigment, patina, Styrofoam, wood, Fundreds, height per bundle, approx.: 5 1/2 in. (14 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Artists of the Fundred Project, initiated by Mel Chin, 2019.29. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Photo: Benjamin C Tankersley, courtesy Fundred Project, 2019.29_FundredPalletDetailIMG_0096.jpg)

Presentation Pallet made by Mel Chin (American, born 1951). Fundred Reserve, 2008–2019. Paper, hemp twine, white oak, bronze, silk, brass, pigment, patina, Styrofoam, wood, Fundreds, height per bundle, approx.: 5 1/2 in. (14 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Artists of the Fundred Project, initiated by Mel Chin, 2019.29. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Photo: Benjamin C Tankersley, courtesy Fundred Project, 2019.29_FundredPalletDetailIMG_0096.jpg)

Presentation Pallet made by Mel Chin (American, born 1951). <em>Fundred Reserve</em>, 2008–2019. Paper, hemp twine, white oak, bronze, silk, brass, pigment, patina, Styrofoam, wood, Fundreds, height per bundle, approx.: 5 1/2 in. (14 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Artists of the Fundred Project, initiated by Mel Chin, 2019.29. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Photo: Benjamin C Tankersley, courtesy Fundred Project, 2019.29_FundredReserveSignIMG_9335.jpg)

Presentation Pallet made by Mel Chin (American, born 1951). Fundred Reserve, 2008–2019. Paper, hemp twine, white oak, bronze, silk, brass, pigment, patina, Styrofoam, wood, Fundreds, height per bundle, approx.: 5 1/2 in. (14 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Artists of the Fundred Project, initiated by Mel Chin, 2019.29. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Photo: Benjamin C Tankersley, courtesy Fundred Project, 2019.29_FundredReserveSignIMG_9335.jpg)

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Fundred Reserve

Presentation Pallet made by Mel Chin

Contemporary Art

Mel Chin learned that, even before Hurricane Katrina in 2005, children living in New Orleans’s inner-city neighborhoods were experiencing lead poisoning, and the U.S. government was providing almost no funding to address the crisis. He then found this invisible threat throughout the United States. Chin launched the Fundred Project to create hand-drawn currency called Fundreds as a tangible expression of the value of people’s voices, united against lead contamination and lead poisoning. Nearly half a million Fundreds are presented here, on a pallet designed by Chin. The project continues to represent these artists by advocating for environmental justice and inspiring the U.S. government to deliver a lead-free future.
ARTIST Presentation Pallet made by Mel Chin, American, born 1951
MEDIUM Paper, hemp twine, white oak, bronze, silk, brass, pigment, patina, Styrofoam, wood
DATES 2008–2019
DIMENSIONS Fundreds, height per bundle, approx.: 5 1/2 in. (14 cm) pallet: 16 × 87 × 77 1/2 in. (40.6 × 221 × 196.9 cm) sign: 92 7/8 × 2 × 77 1/2 in. (235.9 × 5.1 × 196.9 cm) presentation vitrine for pallet with bundled bills.: 79 × 90 1/4 × 95 1/4 in. (200.7 × 229.2 × 241.9 cm)  (show scale)
COLLECTIONS Contemporary Art
ACCESSION NUMBER 2019.29
CREDIT LINE Gift of Artists of the Fundred Project, initiated by Mel Chin
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Ornate pallet on which rests approx. 7,500 bundles of “Fundreds” tied with hemp twine. “Fundreds” are a printed paper currency template on which the People of America (all 50 States) have hand-drawn 470,243 individual drawings. Styrofoam and wood sign reads: “WE THE PEOPLE/OF THE/UNITED STATES/OF AMERICA/FUNDRED RESERVE”.
EXHIBITIONS
MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
CAPTION Presentation Pallet made by Mel Chin (American, born 1951). Fundred Reserve, 2008–2019. Paper, hemp twine, white oak, bronze, silk, brass, pigment, patina, Styrofoam, wood, Fundreds, height per bundle, approx.: 5 1/2 in. (14 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Artists of the Fundred Project, initiated by Mel Chin, 2019.29. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2019.29_in_situ_01_PS20.jpg)
IMAGE in situ, 2019.29_in_situ_01_PS20.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2023
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RIGHTS STATEMENT © Mel Chin
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Presentation Pallet made by Mel Chin (American, born 1951). <em>Fundred Reserve</em>, 2008–2019. Paper, hemp twine, white oak, bronze, silk, brass, pigment, patina, Styrofoam, wood, Fundreds, height per bundle, approx.: 5 1/2 in. (14 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Artists of the Fundred Project, initiated by Mel Chin, 2019.29. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2019.29_in_situ_01_PS20.jpg)

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