The Beauty of Giving? Throwing a coin into a wishing well, clamping a lock to a bridge, or building a stone tower along a hiking trail – all of these are contemporary rituals with a cumulative effect. 'Volière' connects such a ritual with an altruistic purpose, visualizing the phrase that “every coin matters”, while simultaneously ironising the culture of the wealthy to buy art as an investment. The decentralized construction method references Superorganisms like ant societies, organic growth and new economic possibilities like Bitcoin, as (block)chains gradually appear across the structure. As co-creators, we can witness the effect of our donations. Throwing a coin transforms the individual wish into a collective one and questions what we ‘value’.

The installation was exhibited during Dutch Design Week (top left) and Paris Design Week (top right) with Collectif Coulanges. The money collected during Paris Design Week supported the Joseph Gnädinger Foundation. Tutor: Nacho Carbonell Photo Campina Eindhoven: Nicole Marnati Model: Pauline Esparon Video Dutch Design Week: Marica de Michele Image of ants: Georgia Tech