What is an iconomist? The element “icon” comes from the Greek Εικόνα and means “image”. In its origin, therefore, iconomy is the art of managing images. Today it is the science that deals with the production, distribution and consumption of images. The iconomist treats images as mass, raw material, and can either give value to rotten images or destroy images categorized as high value, altering their meanings and functions. It is the administration of the productive system of a country or region, in other words, of the context in which we live.
The concept of “iconomy” originated as a neologism coined in 2006 by economist Gilson Schwartz. Schwartz judged that “in this iconomy, the nomos is defined by the icon, by something that is tangible, which is a visual, immaterial, real, and symbolic code at the same time…this iconomy that messes with our way of thinking, measuring, and feeling, looks like a game.
“ICON” + “AFFECTION” + “PROGRAM”
THE ICONOMIST is an artist, a publication, an agency focused on producing commentaries through collections & appropriation using contemporary imagery. TI reveals their work throught photographic series, collages, films and publications. TI is a open body of work that accepts collaborations from other artists, writers, curators in its collection and appropriation processes.