Outline:

We are prototyping a web-based network modeled by the gift economy, collective care, and ‘pay it forward’ principles. Members of this network volunteer time, and can in exchange receive time from another member. The intention is to create a system where artists can prosper by using both their creative and professional skills in exchange for services from (or as a gift to) other artists.

To join, one must commit to offer one hour of their time as an initial gift to the network. Through established care protocols, the person who accepted their offer will have had an implicit obligation to pay that hour forward to a third party. We anticipate that this giving and receiving will not be limited to reciprocal exchanges between two parties. Instead, it will spur new connections between the participants of the network, driving growth and diversity, and creating a culture of perpetual giving that is intended to guide us out of isolation.

Team:

Julie Gendron, Kalli Retzepi, Macy Siu

01 – Reference

Janet Cardiff’s 2001 installation Forty-Part Motet uses a network of voices that is both powerful as a whole and in segmented parts. Its strength comes from the integration of interactivity that allows the audience to reimage new connections. These surprise connections are what inspire us.

02 – Collaboration

Writing down answers to what we identify as key questions is essential in order to articulate what we are thinking. We often talk about a ‘grid’ of concepts–and a spreadsheet is the perfect way to put that in front of our eyes.

03 – Preview

A few sketches showing what our web-based interface could look like.