The Project

Part of a practice-based Master of Fine Arts through the Dunedin School of Art, The Exchange was focused on creating the perfect bowl. My process involved repeating that creation (potentially up to 9,999 times), and investigating the dispersal of the resulting bowls. Time, craft, labour, and value were core concepts.

How did it work?

Initially nearly 300 bowls were available for exchange. There was no price. The cost was one hour of participants' time.

This could be measured in many different ways: it could be the hourly rate they earn, or an hour of their time making something. It could be an hour doing something for me, or for another person or pursuit I think is important or valuable. Participants could choose as many or as few bowls as they liked. Each one was valued at one hour of my time and I exchanged it for one hour of theirs.

Before the exchange, we discussed and agreed on the terms. We then signed a ‘contract’ confirming the exchange and kept a copy each.

The exchanges finished by late December 2021, by which time I had completed 69 exchanges for 259 bowls.

Exchanges were varied, and included baking for me and others, bead making, website help, locally dug and processed clay, gardening, wool spinning, massage, haircuts, prose writing, and poetry. Eleven of the exchanges were for voluntary work, three for money, and the remainder for me, including nine pieces of writing and/or poetry, and one of conversation.

An exhibition based on the project was held at the gallery at Dunedin School of Art from 14-18 March 2022. Due to Covid Red light settings it was not open to the public.

If you would like any further information, please contact me by email: lizrowe8@gmail.com

Liz Rowe
Masters candidate, Dunedin School of Art.