Lists of messages/themes next to list of fomarts. Match-making.
Two stand-out ideas exist at this point:
IF you are giving new life to these objects when purchased, in some ways, does this not resemble what happens at The Humane Society? I begin to explore a concept in which I create an adoption fair for antique objects, putting people through a long and involved process of "finding their companion."
Also, the idea of some sort of madlib. These objects already possess strong histories and stories, and it is hard to ignore this when purchasing. Who owned this before? Where has this object been? I begin to imagine giant madlibs, in which participants in the exhibition develop stories using real objects or photographs of objects.
Original flushing-out of the Adoption Fair idea.
CONCEPT STATEMENT: DETROIT ANTIQUE MALL
An experience at the Detroit Antique Mall is very much an individual one, even when a person visits this place with others. So full of objects, smells, things to touch, step over, and move around-it would be difficult for any two persons to have the same feelings or insights. Much of this, of course, depends on an individual's personal taste, ie. What attracted their eye, what they found unusual, what they can relate to, what already looked familiar. Likewise, each object tells a story. Where has this object been? Who has owned this object before? Is it really valuable? What will it become once someone else purchases it and appropriates it to their own lifestyle?
To explore these ideas, I would like to develop an event that plays on both of these concepts working together. In my mind, I imagined the antique mall to be much like an adoption center at a pet shelter. Which object seems right for you and your interests? What object will you give NEW LIFE to once "adopted"?
This event will be an adoption fair, strangely familiar to those who have adopted pets before-but with a twist. This time, participants will not be adopting animals, but OBJECTS with former lives. As a visitor and participator at the adoption fair, you would be lead through a series of promotions and formalities that would make the event feel legitimate and serious. Posters, flyers, announcements. A website to go to and look ahead of time to see what is available for adoption. Sandwich board signs and banners will decorate and lead you through the space. Once at the adoption fair, you will be greeted by the appropriately uniformed "volunteer" who would help you look at the "lives" needing a new home. The objects will all be in cages and personified by having been given people names. To see one up close, you will have to take it to the supervised "play area." (No sticking your fingers in the cages!) The cages will be labeled with adoption papers, including the story of where this object was found (real or made up), photography, traits, care instructions, and the adoption fee. Once you have chosen your new companion, you will be lead through a brief interview and sign the necessary paperwork to leave with your adopted object in a cardboard box (air holes punched in, of course).
At first this experience may come across as a fun gimmick, but once in the environment and reading the material, it may cause people to think about the idea of giving objects life and story through ownership. They then can decide for themselves whether or not they feel this is important or of any cultural value.
The event will be documented through photography and the paperwork--perhaps video as well. These materials will then be collected and organized in a book to share with others.
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