Fiat Pyramids: A Visual Commentary on Money's Fleeting Value

The Fiat Pyramids series is my visual meditation on the nature of modern money—beautiful in design yet constantly eroding in value. These animated works combine AI-generated currency art with 3D modeling to create infinite structures that mirror the endless cycle of money printing and devaluation.

The Inspiration

I've always been fascinated by the paradox of fiat currency: meticulously crafted, rich in symbolism and artistry, yet fundamentally designed to lose value over time. The pyramid became my symbol for this system—an ancient form representing both structural hierarchy and the illusion of stability built on an ever-expanding base.

Each piece in this series explores the tension between money's aesthetic beauty and its diminishing purchasing power, inviting viewers to reflect on our complex relationship with the currencies we use daily.

Fiat Pyramid v1

The first iteration presents an infinite pyramid constructed from AI-generated global currency artwork. Bills from around the world cascade endlessly downward, creating a hypnotic visualization of the constant flow of new money entering circulation. The piece captures that moment of realization when you understand that the money in your pocket is worth less today than yesterday.

Fiat Pyramid v2

Building on the foundation of the first piece, v2 introduces a rotating 3D pyramid surrounded by swirling digital particles. The added dimensionality represents the increasing complexity of modern monetary systems—derivatives, quantitative easing, and digital currencies all spinning in an ever-more intricate dance around the core structure of debt-based money.

Fiat Pyramid v3

The most elaborate piece in the series features nine distinct levels with burning dollars cascading between each tier. Fire consumes the currency as it falls, symbolizing the destruction of purchasing power over time. What begins at the top as crisp, valuable currency transforms into ash by the time it reaches the bottom—a stark visual metaphor for inflation's relentless erosion of wealth.

Creative Process

These pieces were created using a hybrid workflow: Midjourney and DALL·E 3 for the AI-generated currency imagery, Photoshop for editing and manipulation, Cinema 4D for 3D pyramid modeling and visual effects, After Effects for the infinite loop animations, and Premiere Pro with AI tools for sound design.

View the Collection

The complete Fiat Pyramids series is available on SuperRare: View Collection

Each piece offers a visual commentary on the complexities of the financial world, marrying the beauty and craftsmanship of fiat currency design with a poignant reminder of its ever-decreasing value.