Mikael Colombu and The Ruggenheim Present Old Money: A Premature Monument to Paper Currency
Washington, D.C., September 11, 2024 — On October 12, 2024, artist Mikael Colombu will unveil his provocative Old Money project in an exclusive gallery event hosted by the Ruggenheim and the DC Arts Center in Washington, D.C. Known for his collaborations with global icons like The Weeknd, Cee-Lo, The Avener, and Drake, Colombu—working under the persona Richard Trixson—will attend the event in person, offering attendees an intimate encounter with his incisive critique on inflation and the dwindling relevance of paper currency.
Inflation is the greatest financial illusion in American history. Despite diligently saving and financial prudence, Americans face the unsettling reality that prices continue to creep up as the powers that be print more money. Colombu’s Old Money is a bold artistic response to this economic phenomenon, shining a critical spotlight on the financial manipulation that impacts everyone. The project reimagines devalued currency as both an art form and a cautionary symbol of economic negligence.
Beyond this critique lies a deeper exploration of the physical bills themselves. As digital transactions dominate, Colombu draws attention to the forgotten paper currency—battered, worn, and increasingly obsolete. These discarded notes are a reminder not only of inflation’s grip but also of a future where physical money might vanish entirely.
Through characters like presidents Xesserson and Lardazenas, Colombu satirizes the fluid identities of politicians and their opportunistic exploitation of cultural motifs and identities for political gain. His works highlight how political opportunism and financial neglect converge, making money both figuratively and literally deteriorate. Each piece bears marks of its past—stains, doodles, and tears—transforming these worn-out bills into relics of economic manipulation.
The project also asks whether these seemingly useless pieces of currency might one day become valuable again—not as legal tender, but as valuable utilities of anonymity in a world dominated by digital transactions and dragnet financial surveillance. Colombu’s art challenges the audience to rethink what happens when the physical embodiment of value is cast aside, only to resurface as a symbol of something greater.
Colombu’s signature style, dubbed “Jankyvision,” which first gained international attention in The Weeknd’s "The Knowing" video, is on full display in Old Money. This off-kilter realism offers a theatrical perspective on modern finance and politics, pulling viewers into an uncomfortable yet compelling dialogue on the performance of power and objects we once trusted.
The upcoming gallery event is set to attract a wide audience—from artists and critics to cultural commentators and DC insiders—united by Colombu’s sharp examination of currency’s evolution. This is a rare chance to engage directly with the artist, his work, and the growing community of collectors drawn to his vision.
Event Details:
- Date: October 12, 2024
- Public Gallery Hours: 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM
- Artist Reception: Beginning at 7:00 PM
- Location: DC Arts Center, 2438 18th St. NW, Washington, DC, 20009
- Media Inquiries or Reception RSVP: team@ruggenheim.org
Join us for an evening that promises not only to showcase extraordinary art but provoke a reevaluation of how we perceive currency and the power structures that govern it.
