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3:30pm: Guided tour with the artist

Since May 31, 2009, Christin Lahr has been transferring 1 cent daily to the Federal Ministry of Finance, counteracting the growing mountain of debt in homeopathic doses. Money always finds a way without resistance. In the "Purpose of Payment" field, she writes 140 characters from Karl Marx’s Capital, Vol. 1. Over 43 years, the entire text will be transferred via online banking to the central state account and recorded as economic capital growth. The value increase from interest, as well as invested labor, lifetime, and cultural and symbolic value creation, are not yet taken into account.

THE CAPITAL, irrevocably inscribed in accounts and archives, is seen as a contribution to the public, included in the federal budget of Germany, administered by the elected representatives, and securely held by the Bundesbank. Each of the approximately 15,709 transfers is printed once on certificate paper, signed, and given to citizens throughout the project, creating a global network of stakeholders. In ÜBERZEICHNUNGEN on transparent paper, Christin Lahr creates an illegible notation of the CAPITAL from counting and number signs, analogous to the book.

MACHT GESCHENKE: DAS KAPITAL confronts the prevailing political economy and meaningless bureaucracy with the gesture of giving and contribution. The micro-donations unbalance the state’s balance once a day and serve as a stimulus for a sustainable debate on values.

On the occasion of its 150th anniversary, the HGB library receives the signed transfer No. 05626 dated October 24, 2024.

>>> The event is part of the annual program for the 150th anniversary of the HGB Library. More information...