The Men Who Sold the World
The Hyde Park Art Center
5307 S. Hyde Park Boulevard
Chicago, IL 60615
August 27 through October 7, 2000
The Men Who Sold the World, a collaborative effort by Chester Alamo-Costello and Donald McGhie (aka the Sheriff) investigated the “Sell Anything” idea driving today’s global capitalist culture through the utilisation of varied technology and aggressive marketing set on changing our behavior. Through the creation of a quasi-business environment interlaced with the ephemera of human activity of the everyday office culture, The Men Who Sold the World assumed the role of a fly-by-night, upstart company which was focused upon the capitalist mantra of “sell, sell, sell,’ with the promise of providing you with the “latest greatest make-your-life-better services and products”. This business environment included slogan directives, visual experiences, olfactory encounters and branded premiums. The business incubator ran in the form of a company where phone messages and faxes were invited. Specific information on performances can be found after the images below.
Cash during “Pass the Buck”, Performance, August 27, 2000
The Sheriff (Donald McGhie) during “Pass the Buck”, Performance, August 27, 2000
Office Installation view (storage), 2000
Office Installation view (pedestal), 2000
$$$ World Icon #4, 40 inkjet prints, 2000
Chester (Alamo-Costello) during “Pass the Buck”, Performance, August 27, 2000
The Sheriff during “Sell, Sell, Sell”, Performance, September 10, 2000
Crowd Scene #9, inkjet print, 2000
The Handyman during “Sell, Sell, Sell”, Performance, September 10, 2000
Office Installation view (science), 2000
Crowd Scene #9, inkjet print, 2000
Office Installation view (architecture), 2000
$$$ World Icon #4, 38 inkjet prints, 2000
Office Installation view (architecture), 2000
Office Installation view (toys), 2000
Crowd Scene #1, inkjet print, 2000
The Painter (Simon Anderson) during “Sell, Sell, Sell”, Performance, September 10, 2000
Cellphone and $$$ performance, 2000
Chester (Alamo-Costello) during “Sell, Sell, Sell”, Performance, September 10, 2000
Crowd Scene #11, inkjet print, 2000
Green Elvis during “Sell, Sell, Sell”, Performance, September 10, 2000
$$$ World Icon #7, 36 inkjet prints, 2000
Office Installation view (play area), 2000
Office Installation view (aerial), 2000
Chester and the Sheriff during “Sell, Sell, Sell”, Performance, September 10, 2000
$$$ World Icon #15, 45 inkjet prints, 2000
Two performances, “Pass the Buck” and “Sell, Sell, Sell”, were presented in conjunction with The Men Who Sold the World. The following is a summary of these interactive experiences:
“Pass the Buck”
Sunday, August 27, 2000 (3 p.m. to 7 p.m.)
“Pass the Buck” was a new venture event that took place during the opening reception with guest appearances by the Painter, the Electrician, Chester, the Sheriff and ??? As part of this action, original ideas were bought from visitors at the exhibit for $1 each. “The purchasing mantra was no idea is too big or too small!” In total, $500 was spent on a variety of recommendations that dealt with a range of topics, including improved strategies for indoctrinating buyers to how to better utilise recycled materials.
“Sell, Sell, Sell”
Sunday, September 10, 2000 (3 p.m. to 7 p.m.)
”Sell, Sell, Sell” was a liquidation sale and performance which used the seller’s slogan “You’re Invited Because You’re #1” Through selling of all items included installation, this event attempted to address the excessive commodification of “monetary-driven” lifestyles and how office culture projects itself beyond the bounds of the cubical. Guest appearances were made by Mel the Electrician, Mammoth Removal By Other, Greene E. (the Environmental Elvis) and Chester & the Sheriff.