Jens Haaning’s Take the Money and Run artwork, featuring empty canvases representing unpaid wages, ignited controversy in the art world. This article delves into the story behind the art, the legal battle with the Kunsten Museum, and the broader questions it raises about art’s value and artists’ compensation.
The Genesis of “Work It Out”
In 2021, the Kunsten Museum of Modern Art in Aalborg, Denmark, launched the Work It Out exhibition. This exhibition explored the evolving nature of work, delving into themes like worker exploitation, digitization’s impact, and the intersection of labor with economics and culture. Jens Haaning was among the artists commissioned to contribute, either with existing works or new creations reflecting the exhibition’s theme.
Kunsten Museum of Modern Art
Haaning’s Bold Statement: Empty Canvases and a Powerful Message
The Kunsten Museum commissioned Haaning to recreate two earlier pieces showcasing framed banknotes, representing average annual incomes in Austria and Denmark. These pieces aimed to highlight wage disparities. The museum provided Haaning with approximately €72,000 to recreate the works, plus a €5,000 artist fee.
Jens Haaning's previous work
Instead of recreating the pieces, Haaning submitted blank canvases titled Take the Money and Run. He argued that recreating the original works would have cost more than the commission, and his new piece offered a potent commentary on artists’ low wages, aligning with the exhibition’s theme.
Take the Money and Run Installation
Art as Provocation: Theft or Commentary?
Haaning’s act sparked debate: was it theft or art? The museum, while acknowledging the work’s critique of the art world, deemed it a breach of contract. The artwork ignited discussions about the value of art in the 21st century and the often precarious financial situation of artists. Haaning himself encouraged others in similar situations to “grab what you can and beat it.”
The Legal Battle and its Outcome
The Kunsten Museum demanded the return of the money, threatening legal action. Haaning refused. In January 2022, the museum filed a lawsuit. After a protracted legal battle, in September 2023, a Copenhagen court ordered Haaning to repay the loan, minus mounting costs, while still acknowledging his right to the artist fee. The Take the Money and Run canvases remain on display at the Kunsten Museum, serving as a lasting testament to the complex relationship between art, labor, and financial compensation. The case continues to fuel discussion about the boundaries of art and the rights of artists within the art market system.
