1. First define mercantilism, using material from your ALVC handbook, and explain how it has developed since the Renaissance.
According from the Columbia Encyclopedia, in the 16th, 17th and 18th century the European government declared the wealth of the country depended on its major trading. Therefore Europe had to maximise the trading of precious metals, especially gold as they were in universal demand. 
Foreign trade along with manufacturing and processing were chosen over domestic trade. it has developed since the renaissance as it has now become a world wide trading system. 

2. Identify the ideas or concepts in Hall's work that relate to Mercantilism? 
Fiona Hall, through her work is able to show the issue of Mercantilism though her work. Hall shows this through her materials used, she cleverly uses the material of money to show the wealth that the European Countries wanted to get a hold of. Hall takes the mean of money and changes it so it doesn't show the importance of what is it thought of, she uses the money to form different shapes or to use as a background and so money is no longer the focus. This relates back to Mercantilism as she took the issue and bought th unimportance of wealth to her audiences attention. 

3. For each work describe the shape, form and materials used, and also explain the ideas behind each example.

Fiona Hall realtes her work to mercantilism in various ways. In the below art work 'Leaf Litter' Hall has used various currencies' banknotes and painted a leaf with gouche paint which creates a transparently so you are able to identify the banknotes through the leaf. This idea is related to mercantilism as you are able to see the wanted wealth that Europe was hungry for through the natural materials (which were being sold). the Irony of this work is that the money/wealth that the country was so greedy for was also made form a natural material. 

 ' Leaf Litter' (1999-2003) Fiona Hall

This is another work by Fiona Hall, called tender. the materials used is shredded money moulded into the shapes of birds nest. This strongly is related to economic problem of deforestation as the money we use to destroy the forests in shaped into the homes of the birds which would live in the forest. 

4. In your opinion do the materials communicate the ideas of the work? Please explain your answer. 

i believe that the materials Hall use's are extremely relevant to the work she does. It clearly communicates the idea behind the work. Through the materials Fiona is able to communicate the differences between two worlds, Hall is able to establish the problem at hand and her choice of materials further explain the problem along with the way in which it is made. 

5. Fiona Hall's recent project The Kermadecs focuses on issues around the Pacific ocean. Research this project to summarize the importance of the area and upload an image to your blog for discussion.
The National Geographic Society did a marine census in 2010 and declared the Kermadecs one of the 'last pristine sites left in the ocean' From this a long term goal was formed to uphold this given reputation. Here Hall has used her artwork to demonstrate the marine issue around the pacific ocean. This particular artwork 'shoot the breeze' made in 2011 expresses the loss of loosing a living world. In my opinion i belie this artwork is presented in a way which it is simple fr the viewer to get an idea as to what the meaning is. You are able to clearly establish the fish, then as the eyes naturally move downwards we are then able to make out the can which canned fish is packaged in. the placement is logical and easy to read which creates a good piece of work.