As Naples garbage piled up higher and higher, stinky art does money talk :: Join aglio bidding :: May 16 - June 30, 2008.

AglioMania (GarlicMania) refers to TulipoMania that took place in early 17th century Netherlands. During that time, tulip bulbs were traded for enormous prices and eventually crashed, thus the term bubble economy. AglioMania re-enacts the maniac trading phenomena with garlic produced in Italy during the 6 weeks of the “Enterprise of Art” exhibition at Palazzo delle Arti Napoli.

8 garlic bulbs collected from local farmers are framed as art objects and put on display. Each garlic bulb with a specific name enters the bidding market where Aglio Mille (garlic 1000 Lire) is the currency. A bidding system is established for the web and the gallery. The public is issued Aglio Mille, encouraged by the money earning schemes, joins the bidding for the desirable aglio bulbs.

AglioMania takes the public on an illusionary market frenzy. At the end of the exhibition, the highest bidder gets the desirable garlic bulb. Ultimately, the get rich garlic schemes are smashed as truck loads of garlic enter the green market.

AglioMania
Shu Lea Cheang
L’Impresa dell’Arte
PAN I Palazzo delle Arti Napoli