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Banca Rotta by goldin + senneby

Unveiling of a new permanent work in the SSE Art Collection




The unveiling of the permanent sculpture Banca Rotta (Switzerland, 17th Century, oak) by artist duo Goldin + Senneby in the SSE library is followed by a short introduction by professor Örjan Sjöberg. This new acquisition is made possible by a generous donation by Helena Saxon, SSE alumna, who will equally honor the inauguration by her presence.

Goldin + Senneby have previously showed works connected to economic transactions and financial systems at SSE. Adding Banca Rotta to the permanent collection SSE Art Initiative further strengthens the bridge between art and business understanding. This antique money-changer´s table, sawed in half, is an economic memento mori of the dark side of business; failure and bankruptcy.

Banca Rotta reminds us of a dimension that tends to be forgotten and even repressed in an educational milieu focusing on success and progress. In times when this very table was the instrument of trade of a banker bankruptcy meant a definite end; the death of a salesman and ruin of his whole house of trade. Today we take it for granted that “limited liability companies” offer any entrepreneur several lives, and thereby making “limited liability” one of the most fundamental institutions of modern capitalism. So what are is the messages of Banca Rotta to us today?