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Currency of the Future

All the bottle tops.

In 2012 I visited Kansas City, and in Kansas City lives Just Colcord. Just is an artist who uses found objects in his sculptures. I took photos of him in his apartment, and posted those photos as a blog post here.

I asked him about buying a piece of his artwork, but he said he doesn’t sell his pieces for money. Money is too easy to earn and use to buy unique pieces of art, and someone should have to put in more effort to buy something Just has put effort into making.

He’d previously mentioned that after the apocalypse, bottle tops with the anti-tamper rings turned inside out and wrapped around them would become money. “The Currency of the Future” he called it. I proposed a deal. I’d collect 100 such bottle tops, and he’d see if that was enough to “buy” a piece of his artwork.

So that’s what I did. From September 2012 to December 2013, if I bought and drank out of a bottle with the right kind of anti-tamper ring, I wrote a number on it, and took an iPhone photo of it in the location I finished the bottle.

It’s been a fun project. The results are below. The 100 bottle tops are currently in the post, on the way to Kansas City.

Currency of the Future: New York laundrette, September 2012.

New York laundrette, September 2012.

Currency of the Future: US Open Final, New York, September 2012.

US Open Final, New York, September 2012.

Currency of the Future: New York Metro, September 2012.

New York Metro, September 2012.

Currency of the Future: JFK Airport, New York, September 2012.

JFK Airport, New York, September 2012.

Currency of the Future: Gullfoss, Iceland, September 2012.

Gullfoss, Iceland, September 2012.

Currency of the Future: New York from New Jersey, September 2012.

New York from New Jersey, September 2012.

Currency of the Future: Athens, September 2012.

Athens, September 2012.

Currency of the Future: The Acropolis, Athens, September 2012.

The Acropolis, Athens, September 2012.

Currency of the Future: Athens, September 2012.

Athens, September 2012.

Currency of the Future: Dinner with family, England, October 2012.

Dinner with family, England, October 2012.

Currency of the Future: Matilda The Musical, London, October 2012.

Matilda The Musical, London, October 2012.

Currency of the Future: Gibraltar Airport, October 2012.

Gibraltar Airport, October 2012.

Currency of the Future: Istanbul Airpot, October 2012.

Istanbul Airpot, October 2012.

Currency of the Future: Kusadasi, Turkey, October 2012.

Kusadasi, Turkey, October 2012.

Currency of the Future: Bodrum, Turkey, October 2012.

Bodrum, Turkey, October 2012.

Currency of the Future: Santorini, Greece, October 2012.

Santorini, Greece, October 2012.

Currency of the Future: Berlin Zoo, November 2012.

Berlin Zoo, November 2012.

Currency of the Future: Napoli, Italy, November 2012.

Napoli, Italy, November 2012.

Currency of the Future: Lanzarote, December 2012.

Lanzarote, December 2012.

Currency of the Future: Cape Verde, December 2012.

Cape Verde, December 2012.

Currency of the Future: Mindelo, Cape Verde, December 2012.

Mindelo, Cape Verde, December 2012.

Currency of the Future: Tarquinia, Italy, December 2012.

Tarquinia, Italy, December 2012.

Currency of the Future: Pisa, Italy, December 2012.

Pisa, Italy, December 2012.

Currency of the Future: Bercelona, Spain, December 2012.

Bercelona, Spain, December 2012.

Currency of the Future: Aqaba, Jordan, March 2013.

Aqaba, Jordan, March 2013.

Currency of the Future: Petra, Jordan, March 2013.

Petra, Jordan, March 2013.

Currency of the Future: Santiago Airport, Chile, April 2013.

Santiago Airport, Chile, April 2013.

Currency of the Future: Valparaiso, Chile, April 2013.

Valparaiso, Chile, April 2013.

Currency of the Future: Lima, Peru, April 2013.

Lima, Peru, April 2013.

Currency of the Future: Lima again, Peru, April 2013.

Lima again, Peru, April 2013.

Currency of the Future: Manta, Equador, April 2013.

Manta, Equador, April 2013.

Currency of the Future: Quito, Equador, April 2013.

Quito, Equador, April 2013.

Currency of the Future: Schiphol Airport, Netherlands, April 2013.

Schiphol Airport, Netherlands, April 2013.

Currency of the Future: A Coruna, Spain, May 2013.

A Coruna, Spain, May 2013.

Currency of the Future: Dover, England, May 2013.

Dover, England, May 2013.

Currency of the Future: Wildau, Germany, May 2013.

Wildau, Germany, May 2013.

Currency of the Future: Dutch Juggling Convention, 2013.

Dutch Juggling Convention, 2013.

Currency of the Future: Warnemunde, Germany, May 2013.

Warnemunde, Germany, May 2013.

Currency of the Future: Tallinn Airport, Estonia, May 2013.

Tallinn Airport, Estonia, May 2013.

Currency of the Future: Bird nest in my back yard, Berlin, May 2013.

Bird nest in my back yard, Berlin, May 2013.

Currency of the Future: Potsdam, Germany, May 2013.

Potsdam, Germany, May 2013.

Currency of the Future: Wildau, Germany, May 2013.

Wildau, Germany, May 2013.

Currency of the Future: Berlin, Germany, June 2013.

Berlin, Germany, June 2013.

Currency of the Future: Potsdam, Germany, June 2013.

Potsdam, Germany, June 2013.

Currency of the Future: Berlin Juggling Convention, June 2013.

Berlin Juggling Convention, June 2013.

Currency of the Future: Berlin, Germany, June 2013.

Berlin, Germany, June 2013.

Currency of the Future: Victoria Park, Berlin, Germany, June 2013.

Victoria Park, Berlin, Germany, June 2013.

Currency of the Future: Berlin Zoo, July 2013.

Berlin Zoo, July 2013.

Currency of the Future: Berlin, Germany, July 2013.

Berlin, Germany, July 2013.

Currency of the Future: Victoria Park, Berlin, Germany, July 2013.

Victoria Park, Berlin, Germany, July 2013.

Currency of the Future: Heathrow Ariport, London, July 2013.

Heathrow Ariport, London, July 2013.

Currency of the Future: Dun Laoghaire, Ireland, July 2013.

Dun Laoghaire, Ireland, July 2013.

Currency of the Future: Reykjavik, Iceland, July 2013.

Reykjavik, Iceland, July 2013.

Currency of the Future: Muse concert, Berlin, July 2013.

Muse concert, Berlin, July 2013.

Currency of the Future: Trier, Germany, July 2013.

Trier, Germany, July 2013.

Currency of the Future: Luxembourg, July 2013.

Luxembourg, July 2013.

Currency of the Future: Reims, France, July 2013.

Reims, France, July 2013.

Currency of the Future: Paris, July 2013.

Paris, July 2013.

Currency of the Future: Paris again, July 2013.

Paris again, July 2013.

Currency of the Future: Amboise, France, July 2013.

Amboise, France, July 2013.

Currency of the Future: Montlouis-sur-Loire, France, July 2013.

Montlouis-sur-Loire, France, July 2013.

Currency of the Future: Chenonceaux, France, July 2013.

Chenonceaux, France, July 2013.

Currency of the Future: Villandry, France, July 2013.

Villandry, France, July 2013.

Currency of the Future: Villandry again, France, July 2013.

Villandry again, France, July 2013.

Currency of the Future: Blois House of Magic, France, July 2013.

Blois House of Magic, France, July 2013.

Currency of the Future: Manoir de Clenord, France, July 2013.

Manoir de Clenord, France, July 2013.

Currency of the Future: Dune de Pyla, France, July 2013.

Dune de Pyla, France, July 2013.

Currency of the Future: Condom, France, July 2013.

Condom, France, July 2013.

Currency of the Future: I'm not kidding about being in Condom, France, July 2013.

I’m not kidding about being in Condom, France, July 2013.

Currency of the Future: European Juggling Convention, Toulouse, France, July 2013.

European Juggling Convention, Toulouse, France, July 2013.

Currency of the Future: EJC again, Toulouse, France, July 2013.

EJC again, Toulouse, France, July 2013.

Currency of the Future: Toulouse, France, August 2013.

Toulouse, France, August 2013.

Currency of the Future: Sete, France, August 2013.

Sete, France, August 2013.

Currency of the Future: Avignon, France, August 2013.

Avignon, France, August 2013.

Currency of the Future: Pont du Gard, France, August 2013.

Pont du Gard, France, August 2013.

Currency of the Future: Berlin, September 2013.

Berlin, September 2013.

Currency of the Future: Berlin again, September 2013.

Berlin again, September 2013.

Currency of the Future: Henrys shop, Karlsruhe, Germany, September 2013.

Henrys shop, Karlsruhe, Germany, September 2013.

Currency of the Future: Durlach, Germany, September 2013.

Durlach, Germany, September 2013.

Currency of the Future: Karlsruhe, Germany, September 2013.

Karlsruhe, Germany, September 2013.

Currency of the Future: Karlsruhe again, Germany, September 2013.

Karlsruhe again, Germany, September 2013.

Currency of the Future: Brandenburger Tor, Berlin, September 2013.

Brandenburger Tor, Berlin, September 2013.

Currency of the Future: Holocaust Memorial, Berlin, September 2013.

Holocaust Memorial, Berlin, September 2013.

Currency of the Future: Bode Museum, Berlin, September 2013.

Bode Museum, Berlin, September 2013.

Currency of the Future: Olympiastadion Berlin, September 2013.

Olympiastadion Berlin, September 2013.

Currency of the Future: Stasi Museum, Berlin, September 2013.

Stasi Museum, Berlin, September 2013.

Currency of the Future: Color Run Berlin, October 2013.

Color Run Berlin, October 2013.

Currency of the Future: Palermo, Sicily, October 2013.

Palermo, Sicily, October 2013.

Currency of the Future: Olbia, Sardinia, October 2013.

Olbia, Sardinia, October 2013.

Currency of the Future: Fontvieille, Monaco, October 2013.

Fontvieille, Monaco, October 2013.

Currency of the Future: Monte Carlo, Monaco, October 2013.

Monte Carlo, Monaco, October 2013.

Currency of the Future: Tempelhofer Feld, Berlin, November 2013.

Tempelhofer Feld, Berlin, November 2013.

Currency of the Future: Berlin Zoo, November 2013.

Berlin Zoo, November 2013.

Currency of the Future: Nürnberg, Germany, November 2013.

Nürnberg, Germany, November 2013.

Currency of the Future: Nürnberg Juggling Convention, November 2013.

Nürnberg Juggling Convention, November 2013.

Currency of the Future: Madrid Airport, Spain, December 2013.

Madrid Airport, Spain, December 2013.

Currency of the Future: Teatro Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil, November 2013.

Teatro Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil, November 2013.

Currency of the Future: Meeting of the Waters, Amazon River, Brazil, December 2013.

Meeting of the Waters, Amazon River, Brazil, December 2013.

Currency of the Future: Barbados Airport, December 2013.

Barbados Airport, December 2013.

Currency of the Future: JFK Airport, New York, December 2013.

JFK Airport, New York, December 2013.


I love to read comments and feedback about my blog posts. Please email me, I reply to every message: luke@juggler.net


Just Colcord’s Apartment

Just Colcord's Apartment: Who's this little guy? Zongo. He's a hard smoking wooden robot, made by Just Colcord.

Who’s this little guy? Zongo. He’s a hard smoking wooden robot, made by Just Colcord.

Just Colcord's Apartment: Just invited me around to check out his apartment, and I must admit it was the most interesting place I visited during my stay in Kansas City.

Just invited me around to check out his apartment, and I must admit it was the most interesting place I visited during my stay in Kansas City.

Just Colcord's Apartment: Just has been making toys, and experimenting with stop motion movies featuring those toys, for only one year. He's always been an obsessive collector of interesting trinkets and small bits of junk, and making them into toys is one way of channeling his energies.

Just has been making toys, and experimenting with stop motion movies featuring those toys, for only one year. He’s always been an obsessive collector of interesting trinkets and small bits of junk, and making them into toys is one way of channeling his energies.

Just Colcord's Apartment: I took all these photos over the course of about 10 minutes. I wish I had better lighting, and had more time, because these few snaps don't do justice to Just's massive collections and artistic creations. This is Nozog.

I took all these photos over the course of about 10 minutes. I wish I had better lighting, and had more time, because these few snaps don’t do justice to Just’s massive collections and artistic creations. This is Nozog.

Just Colcord's Apartment: Meet Onzog. Or was this Oznog?

Meet Onzog. Or was this Oznog?

Just Colcord's Apartment: Maybe this is Nozog, not Zongo.

Maybe this is Nozog, not Zongo.

Just Colcord's Apartment: Not only has Just been making toys, but also many, many sets for his stop motion movies.

Not only has Just been making toys, but also many, many sets for his stop motion movies.

Just Colcord's Apartment: Boxes and boxes of… things.

Boxes and boxes of… things.

Just Colcord's Apartment: Just began displaying his art and toys in local markets, but doesn't sell any of them. Instead he takes donations to support his creative endeavors, and makes donors small gifts in return.

Just began displaying his art and toys in local markets, but doesn’t sell any of them. Instead he takes donations to support his creative endeavors, and makes donors small gifts in return.

Just Colcord's Apartment: This one is called

This one is called “Attack of the wheel nuts.”

Just Colcord's Apartment: A close-up of a box scene.

A close-up of a box scene.

Just Colcord's Apartment: His apartment contains many cabinets of curiosities. And what are some of those curiosities?

His apartment contains many cabinets of curiosities. And what are some of those curiosities?

Just Colcord's Apartment: A miniature cabinet of curiosities inside a curiosity cabinet.

A miniature cabinet of curiosities inside a curiosity cabinet.

Just Colcord's Apartment: All the mini bottles contain used yoyo strings, coiled inside in a very precise manner. Many bottles have notes, reminding Just of the day and reason he put the string in the bottle. Literally, bottling memories.

All the mini bottles contain used yoyo strings, coiled inside in a very precise manner. Many bottles have notes, reminding Just of the day and reason he put the string in the bottle. Literally, bottling memories.

Just Colcord's Apartment: More toys made from found objects.

More toys made from found objects.

Just Colcord's Apartment: Buttons, bullet casings, shotgun rounds...

Buttons, bullet casings, shotgun rounds…

Just Colcord's Apartment: R2-D2 vs Dalek.

R2-D2 vs Dalek.

Just Colcord's Apartment: Sunglasses fairy.

Sunglasses fairy.

Just Colcord's Apartment: Priceless, of course, because none of Just's artwork is for sale.

Priceless, of course, because none of Just’s artwork is for sale.

Just Colcord's Apartment: All the work takes place in the kitchen.

All the work takes place in the kitchen.

Just Colcord's Apartment: Opening a kitchen cabinet, I found yet more scenes with toys.

Opening a kitchen cabinet, I found yet more scenes with toys.

Just Colcord's Apartment: These are the currency of the future.

These are the currency of the future.

Just Colcord's Apartment: Thanks for showing me around, Just!

Thanks for showing me around, Just!


I love to read comments and feedback about my blog posts. Please email me, I reply to every message: luke@juggler.net


Berlin FotoMarathon 2012

Juliane and I took part in the Berlin FotoMarathon. The idea is to take 24 photos in 12 hours, with an overall theme (this year “Seize the Day”) and with a title for each individual photo. As we are both recovering from sickness, we did all the photography in and around our home. We started telling a story with pictures, but as you never have more than the next half dozen photo titles, there was no way to plan how it went throughout the day. It’s a really good challenge, and we had a lot of fun.

Berlin FotoMarathon 2012 - Seize the Moment: Here and now (Hier und Jetzt).

Here and now (Hier und Jetzt).

Berlin FotoMarathon 2012 - Seize the Moment: Go for it! (Trau Dich!)

Go for it! (Trau Dich!)

Berlin FotoMarathon 2012 - Seize the Moment: Colourful (Farbenfroh).

Colourful (Farbenfroh).

Berlin FotoMarathon 2012 - Seize the Moment: Free choice (freie Auswahl).

Free choice (freie Auswahl).

Berlin FotoMarathon 2012 - Seize the Moment: Melting away (dahinschmeltzen).

Melting away (dahinschmeltzen).

Berlin FotoMarathon 2012 - Seize the Moment: Prefection (Perfektion).

Prefection (Perfektion).

Berlin FotoMarathon 2012 - Seize the Moment: Euphoric (euphorisch).

Euphoric (euphorisch).

Berlin FotoMarathon 2012 - Seize the Moment: Absorbed (versunken).

Absorbed (versunken).

Berlin FotoMarathon 2012 - Seize the Moment: City life (Stadtleben).

City life (Stadtleben).

Berlin FotoMarathon 2012 - Seize the Moment: Laughing out loud (lauthals lachen).

Laughing out loud (lauthals lachen).

Berlin FotoMarathon 2012 - Seize the Moment: Longing (sehnsüchtig).

Longing (sehnsüchtig).

Berlin FotoMarathon 2012 - Seize the Moment: Pause for thought (Denkpause).

Pause for thought (Denkpause).

Berlin FotoMarathon 2012 - Seize the Moment: Flight of fancy (Höhenflüge).

Flight of fancy (Höhenflüge).

Berlin FotoMarathon 2012 - Seize the Moment: Hot and spicy (richtig scharf).

Hot and spicy (richtig scharf).

Berlin FotoMarathon 2012 - Seize the Moment: Sweet tooth (Naschkatze).

Sweet tooth (Naschkatze).

Berlin FotoMarathon 2012 - Seize the Moment: Carefree (sorglos).

Carefree (sorglos).

Berlin FotoMarathon 2012 - Seize the Moment: Call it a day (Feierabend).

Call it a day (Feierabend).

Berlin FotoMarathon 2012 - Seize the Moment: Together (zusammen).

Together (zusammen).

Berlin FotoMarathon 2012 - Seize the Moment: Chilling (chillen).

Chilling (chillen).

Berlin FotoMarathon 2012 - Seize the Moment: Refreshing (erfrischend).

Refreshing (erfrischend).

Berlin FotoMarathon 2012 - Seize the Moment: Natural beauty (Naturschönheit).

Natural beauty (Naturschönheit).

Berlin FotoMarathon 2012 - Seize the Moment: Passionate (leidenschaftlich).

Passionate (leidenschaftlich).

Berlin FotoMarathon 2012 - Seize the Moment: Cherry red (kirschrot).

Cherry red (kirschrot).

Berlin FotoMarathon 2012 - Seize the Moment: The last dance (Der letzte Tanz).

The last dance (Der letzte Tanz).

I also did the FotoMarathon in 2011 but gave up part way through due to illness, and in 2010, which I wrote about on my blog but for some reason I never posted the final 24 images, even though I had them printed and I see them on my wall every day.


I love to read comments and feedback about my blog posts. Please email me, I reply to every message: luke@juggler.net


What I’ll remember from the High Line, New York – May 2012.

I recently spent a day and a half in New York. I visited a park that has been built along the length of a disused high-level railway line that runs down Manhattan, called The High Line. Based on the first photo I took of a building close by, I shot an entire series. There were about 50 photos in all, but I picked out my favourites. By investigating this style of photograph way more than normal, I came up with some new ideas which led to a really cool photo I took the next day, which I might post tomorrow.

The High Line, New York: Photo series of buildings around the park.

The High Line, New York: Photo series of buildings around the park.

The High Line, New York: Photo series of buildings around the park.

The High Line, New York: Photo series of buildings around the park.

The High Line, New York: Photo series of buildings around the park.

The High Line, New York: Photo series of buildings around the park.

The High Line, New York: Photo series of buildings around the park.

The High Line, New York: Photo series of buildings around the park.

The High Line, New York: Photo series of buildings around the park.

The High Line, New York: Photo series of buildings around the park.

The High Line, New York: Photo series of buildings around the park.

The High Line, New York: Photo series of buildings around the park.

The High Line, New York: Photo series of buildings around the park.

The High Line, New York: Photo series of buildings around the park.

The High Line, New York: Photo series of buildings around the park.


I love to read comments and feedback about my blog posts. Please email me, I reply to every message: luke@juggler.net