Paco Cao

February-July, 1996
Citywide

Rent a Body was the United States premiere of an ongoing project by Spanish artist Paco Cao. Intersted in investigating the connections between art and the market economy, in 1994 Cao established an agency in Spain through which he advertised his services for hire, ranging from being a physical presence ($35/hr) to engaging in intense intellectual activity ($150/hr). Using business-world marketing strategies, the project was promoted both inside and outside the art world. For his New York presentation with Creative Time, Cao placed countertop displays in stores around the city and produced a promotional brochure to advertise his services, which was distributed through the mail.