Artist Given GHc500,000 to Create Artwork Delivers Blank Canvases, Calls Them Art

• An artist given GHc500,000 by a museum to use in a piece of art delivered blank canvases
• Jens Haaning did not incorporate the cash in the artwork titled "Take the Money and Run"
• The museum director said Haaning is yet to break their contractual agreement and is expected to return the money

A Danish artist given GHc500,000 by a museum to use in an artwork delivered an unexpected piece.

Jens Haaning was given the money by the Museum of Modern Art in Denmark and delivered to black canvases.

He aptly titled the two canvases "Take the Money and Run."

Lasse Andersson, the museum director, spoke to CBS News and said that the artist was paid and given banknotes to use in the work.

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According to their contract, the museum would give Haaning an additional GHc42,000 to update his work if need be.

Andersson said the GHc500,000 was not part of Hanning's payment, and he was supposed to return the cash when the art exhibition closed.

The cash was supposed to be incorporated into the frames of the art.

Shock delivery

However, when Haaning delivered the piece, the museum established that the money had not been put into the work.

The direct recalled receiving numerous emails after the piece was delivered.

"The staff was very surprised when they opened the crates. I was abroad when the crates were opened, but suddenly received a lot of mails," Andersson said.

Andersson added that Hanning had not broken their contractual agreement, which stipulated that the money be returned by January 16, 2020.

Should the artist fail to return the money by the date as mentioned above, the director said:

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“We will of course take the necessary steps to ensure that Jens Haaning complies with his contract."

Invisible sculpture

In June, YEN.com.gh reported that an artist sold an invisible sculpture for over GHc99,000.

Salvatore Garau sold the invisible sculpture dubbed "I Am” to an unidentified bidder. According to Garau, the artwork is not anything but rather a vacuum.

He further stated that the artwork exists in the mind of its creator.

“The vacuum is nothing more than a space full of energy, and even if we empty it and there is nothing left,” he defended the creation.

Source: YEN.com.gh