Art

Ben Eine: “Art and data have value – but at what cost?"

Street artist – and friend of The Big Issue – Ben Eine creates exclusive work that instead of being bought with money can be exchanged for personal data

We live in a digital age, sharing information about ourselves every time we use the internet – whether we realise it or not. The real value of personal data is explored in a new initiative led by artist Ben Eine who has created limited edition art work in his famous lettering style for a two-day pop-up this week.

Teaming up with cybersecurity company Kaspersky Lab, the project encourages collectors to consider the value of their own personal data by making that the currency with which art can be bought. The Data Dollar Store will be the first ever shop to use data as currency in exchange for goods.

Shoreditch has significance to me as it is where I have drawn much of my inspiration

Ben Eine, who has designed covers of The Big Issue in the past, said: “Art and data have similar parallels – both have value but at what cost? By selling my exclusive artwork that money cannot buy, but instead is exchanged for data, Kaspersky Lab opens a new way of thinking about the meaning of data and its value.

“Shoreditch has significance to me as it is where I have drawn much of my inspiration. It is also the home to Silicon Roundabout, the heart of the UK tech scene and the digital revolution, a fitting location for the Data Dollar Store. It brings these two worlds together and turns the simple transaction as we know it, on its head.”

According to Kaspersky Lab 29% of people worldwide have become victim of a cyberattack and 39% leave their devices unprotected from attacks.

Playing on the parallel between the intangibility of art and information, the use of data as the only accepted currency aims to make shoppers think about the value of the data held on their devices. Whilst art is worth whatever the buyer is willing to pay for it, the Data Dollar Store asks shoppers what they are willing to part with without ever opening their own wallets.

The Data Dollar Store will be open in Old Street station on 6th and 7th September from 8.30am-7pm.

To find out more about The Data Dollar store visit www.thedatadollarstore.com

Support the Big Issue

For over 30 years, the Big Issue has been committed to ending poverty in the UK. In 2024, our work is needed more than ever. Find out how you can support the Big Issue today.
Vendor martin Hawes

Recommended for you

View all
Acclaimed artist My Dog Sighs auctions off iconic painting to 'help those struggling and lost'
Art

Acclaimed artist My Dog Sighs auctions off iconic painting to 'help those struggling and lost'

'The image says it all': The meaning behind Banksy's new London tree mural, revealed
Art

'The image says it all': The meaning behind Banksy's new London tree mural, revealed

Artists pays tribute to Big Issue vendors in thought-provoking project: 'Ordinary moments go unnoticed'
Our Vendors

Artists pays tribute to Big Issue vendors in thought-provoking project: 'Ordinary moments go unnoticed'

Women of Ukraine displaced by war rebuild their lives in striking new portrait exhibition
Ukraine photo exhibition
Photography

Women of Ukraine displaced by war rebuild their lives in striking new portrait exhibition

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Here's when UK households to start receiving last cost of living payments
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Here's when UK households to start receiving last cost of living payments

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know
4.

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know