One thing you lack
December 2012
The 34-year old international aid worker and artist, Aaron Moore, aims to put the teachings of Jesus Christ and moral philosopher and atheist, Peter Singer, to the test in his latest exhibition by literally selling every item he owns and donating the proceeds to charity. After spending years meeting face to face with people living in extreme poverty and then returning to the comforts of life in a waterfront apartment in Sydney’s south and an income that places him in the top percentiles of the world’s wealthiest people, Aaron is trying to come to terms with the acute injustice his life presents.
Aaron Moore was the 58,089,141st richest person in the world according to the ‘Global Rich List’
What is the morally correct response to the poor when even the sale of a $5 possession could save the life of a child in certain parts of the world? In an effort to find out, Aaron catalogues his hundreds of possessions and places them all up for sale.
From his Apple laptop, Suzuki motorbike, and twin-fin fish surfboard, through to each t-shirt and every pair of socks, his personal photo albums, letters, paintings, drawings, books, and bed. Over the course of one week, he hopes to sell every possession he owns and empty out the entirety of his bank accounts and donate it to charities that work with the poor. Come along and perhaps you might make a purchase that could quite literally save a life.
Jesus Christ tells the rich young man ‘There is one thing you lack’…
Peter Singer tells the story of the drowning child
A short video documenting the experience of ‘One thing you lack’
What people are saying:
“In a type of role-reversal of the contemporary art Bad Boy, Aaron Moore isn’t shooting at canvases, drinking himself to death, or even just ruining nice people’s dinner parties – he’s emptying his bank accounts… and donating the proceeds to the poor.”
“As you might expect, selling everything you own in one week is not necessarily an easy task, but it’s by no means impossible.”
“This inequality made him question himself and his obligation to the wider community.”
“Having come face to face with its reality in some of the poorest regions in Africa, the international aid worker and artist is doing something to rectify the disparity.”
“Moore is realistic about his latest ‘live art’ foray. It’s not that he won’t ever again have possessions, or a place to live. In fact, in six months time, his life may look quite similar to how it looked yesterday. But it’s an exploration… testing his own fortitude and faith.”
“And I understand we have to keep this interview fairly quick because you’ve already sold the mobile phone that we’re talking to you on at the moment.”
Visual art and global inequality
A thesis examining ‘One thing you lack’ and related works created by Aaron as part of his Masters in Fine Art (MRes) at UNSW Art and Design.
Art studio
Bed room
Art studio
Art studio
Bed side table
Motorbike
Personal documents
Degrees and study notes
Toiletries
Kitchen items