We Cant Eat Money 2017
The artwork titled We Cant Eat Money 2017, created on March 06, 2017, by Xzendor7, presents a thought-provoking visual commentary on the fragile relationship between human desires and the essential elements that sustain life on Earth. In this piece, the artist blends a striking symbolism with contemporary themes, encouraging a reflection on how humanity often prioritizes material wealth at the cost of natural resources and environmental health.
Table of Contents
Main Subject and Composition
The central element of the artwork is a powerful globe, featuring a depiction of Earth that is immediately recognizable to the viewer. It is situated at the core of a visually complex composition, surrounded by sharp, geometric lines and angular forms.
The Earth itself is portrayed in a vivid mix of colors, most notably orange and blue, reflecting the familiar terrestrial imagery while adding an otherworldly quality to its appearance. The globe appears to be floating amidst a series of intersecting lines and shapes, which evoke a sense of both stability and imbalance, suggesting the fine line between the harmonious state of nature and the growing impact of human exploitation.
The globe’s spiked, metallic embellishments give it an almost mechanical look, reinforcing the notion that humanity’s technological advances and consumption habits are pushing the Earth to a breaking point. These pointed elements protrude outward from the Earth like a set of barbs, signifying the dangers of overreaching or exploiting the planet’s resources. They not only create visual tension but also suggest a metaphorical force pushing against the natural order of the world. It is as though the Earth is under siege from human actions, and the spike-like protrusions symbolize the destructive forces brought about by industrialization, greed, and unsustainable practices.
Textual Elements and Message
The artwork is prominently structured around a series of bold, impactful phrases that hover above and below the Earth in a deliberate arrangement. The phrases “When We Can No Longer Breathe the Air,” “When We Can No Longer Drink the Water,” and “When the Land Can No Longer Bear Fruit” are written in various font styles that give each statement its own sense of urgency and importance. These lines lead to the final declaration, “Then & Only Then Will We Realize We Can’t Eat Money.”
The choice of phrasing is a direct challenge to the notion that wealth and material gain can provide sustenance for life in its truest form. The phrases suggest a future in which the essential elements for survival—air, water, and land—are irreversibly damaged by human actions, leaving people with nothing to sustain them, not even their money. This message is starkly reinforced by the symbol of the Earth at the center of the composition, reminding the viewer that without the natural world, wealth becomes meaningless.
The artist emphasizes this idea further by stylizing the phrase “We Can’t Eat Money” in bold, golden lettering. The gold hue associated with money and wealth contrasts sharply with the increasingly grim text surrounding it, reinforcing the theme of a hollow pursuit of riches. The bold and impactful nature of the typography adds to the weight of the message, urging the viewer to reconsider their priorities in the face of environmental collapse.
Symbolism of the Globe and Background Elements
The backdrop is composed of sharp, geometric lines that create a sense of division and separation, almost as if the artwork is illustrating a world in the process of fracturing. These elements can be seen as symbolic of the societal and environmental divisions exacerbated by capitalism, industrial growth, and the pursuit of money at the expense of nature. The intersecting forms create a sharp contrast with the organic shape of the globe, highlighting the tension between human-made systems and the natural world.
At the bottom-right corner of the artwork, a circular emblem reinforces the thematic focus on the Earth. This emblem contains a smaller, metallic-looking globe surrounded by a fragmented texture, which mirrors the brokenness and fragility of the world due to human actions. It provides a subtle but profound reminder that the Earth’s vitality is being consumed by forces beyond its control, further aligning with the overarching message of the artwork.
Style and Mood
The overall style of the piece is strikingly modern, with its bold use of geometry, color contrast, and striking typography. The sharp lines and angles contribute to a futuristic feel, while the globe’s metallic appearance hints at both the promise and peril of technological progress. The color palette is dramatic, using stark contrasts of black, white, and gold, and the textures employed in the design are meant to evoke a sense of urgency and alarm. These elements together generate a mood that is both solemn and cautionary, urging viewers to reflect on the potential consequences of their actions on the planet.
The piece’s theme of environmental degradation is enhanced by its slightly dystopian tone. The Earth, often seen as a symbol of abundance and life, is presented here in a condition of vulnerability, underscoring the idea that nature’s resources are finite and being depleted at an unsustainable rate. The gold, which typically symbolizes wealth and success, serves as a reminder of how society often places value on material wealth over environmental stewardship.
Materials and Techniques
While the materials and techniques used by the artist are not explicitly stated, the boldness and clarity of the imagery suggest a deliberate and highly calculated approach to design. The use of stark black and white against the vibrant gold and orange elements reflects a precise control over color contrasts, allowing the artist to evoke powerful visual dynamics. The geometric lines and metallic elements further enhance the sense of tension between human creation and the natural world, underscoring the central theme of imbalance and unsustainability.
Artwork Backstory
We Cant Eat Money – When we can no longer breathe the air, drink the water or grow our food; then will we realize we should have headed the warning!
This is a typography art climate change graphic design that features the planet earth surrounded by three looping arrows that are set against a starburst that is enclosed with a circular design that has four rectangles arranged at the top, bottom, left and right.
In the black background is a large white zig zag that breaks up the black; and on top of that are the words in four that specify what is said above.
This as with all the artwork on the Xzendor7 website is available for sale online as a rolled canvas print.