Casa de Empeño

Casa de Empeño is a group exhibition based conceptually on the function of a pawnshop and serves to re-examine current systems of economy, currency and exchange.

The entire 3,000 sqft of Anonymous Gallery (D.F.) will be re-designed to replicate a pawnshop environment. Based on the value of the artwork, the gallery will provide unique opportunities for collectors to own distinctive works of art through sale, loan or even trade.

At any given time, pawnshops might have an inventory that includes jewelry, gold, coins, computers, cameras, radios, tools, musical instruments, DVD movies, cell phones, dj equipment, bikes, books, paintings, prints, weapons, clothes, furniture, and more. Casa de Empeño will feature a compelling and diverse array of artists from all over the world who create relatable objects through painting, drawing, film, photography, sculpture, print, editions and design:

Sculptures reflecting hawked luxury accessories such as Megan Whitmarsh’s plush gold chains or Shelter Serra’s Birkin Bags. Intricate and unique jewelry design by artist Orly Genger and Jacklyn Mayer. Electronics and monitors displaying films from Kasper Sonne and David Ellis. Editions from Clayton Brothers, Todd James, Iker Ortiz, Evan Gruzis, photographs from Tim Barber and Richard Kern, and furniture design from Chic by Accident. The exhibition will also feature a library of artist books, zines, magazines, posters, and museum catalogues for sale from institutions including MUAC, Centro de LaImagen, and Museo de Arte Carillo Gil, among others.

Activities

In a typical pawnshop customers pledge property as collateral, and in return, pawnbrokers lend them money. When customers pay back the loan, their merchandise is returned to them. If the loan is not returned the pawnshop sells this property. Anonymous Gallery however, will be providing several opportunities for its customers:

1) Purchase

a. Customers can purchase available inventory at the available retail price.

2) Trade

a. Customers can offer a provided service of equal or greater value in exchange for selected artwork.
b. Customers can offer another item of equal or greater value in exchange for valuable artwork.

3) Loan

a. Throughout the duration of the exhibition customers can loan and consign works of art to the gallery for sale at an agreed retail price.
b. Customers can borrow or rent artworks for a specified duration of time based on a fee established by the gallery and selected artist