The Britts have given up on capital exchange entirely–Art is purchased through barter.

You can trade just about anything you want for tiny birds screaming out of  a telephone.

Believe it!

Happened upon this project by Alexander Ho. He’s having you write him a check for 1 cent. Then he will write you a check for 1 cent. Each party loses 44 cents on a stamp… he will mail you a photo of the checks. And maybe something else. How curious:

I’m currently developing a photographic series dedicated to identifying the intangibility of money.

This work spawns as a response, and in an effort to highlight invisible, electronic, capital exchange (an action which banks profit upon). This series will, in addition, on an infinitesimal scale, utilize and corrupt the resources behind the transferring of money electronically. I am asking you, as my friend, distant acquaintance, or an encourager of my art making to contribute to this series.

The manifestation of this process demands a collaborative effort between me and you.

The procedure is simple: write out a check to me (Alexander Ho) for 1cent ($0.01 USD). The transfer of this “money” will be deposited to my bank account and, in return, I will return to you a check for 1 cent ($0.01). The action of such an exchange will be traced and documented on a physical medium, yet tangible capital does not move physically or actually exist.

For those whom are not in New York City and cannot track me down in person, I request, with great gratitude, that you mail a check, which demands that you invest in a 44cent stamp and self addressed envelope (so I can mail you back a check) to me:
Alexander Ho
231 Conselyea Street
Brooklyn, NY, 11211
I will also provide to you an equal investment of postage on my behalf, a check in return, a photographic print of your check in exchange for your participation, and maybe a surprise!

The more I read William Powhida’s twitter, the more I like him.

That never happens.

He has long conversations there. They are both outwardly critical and self championing, but of course that’s the point. He’s honest.

Here’s a not entirely typical example of his work (but probably just go look at his website):

His work is part criticism, part illustration, part facile sweat equity, part fan fiction–

It’s a lot of things that I love and distrust mashed together. It’s so Insidery it’s hard to take it seriously at all. But he’s dead serious. Earnest I mean.

Here’s a quip from his bio:

Currently, the artist is suffering a malaise brought on by bouts of crushing doubt about the ability of the market to cope with his rash of provocations and insinuations. When it goes south, so will he. Most likely, you’ll be able to find him somewhere in South America selling paintings of the ocean to tourists.

I’m focusing energy on gift exchange; which is not inherently positive, but is always tangled up in the creative dialogue.

So what does Powhida give? Frustration mostly. And a voice to ambivalent creators melting down against the limited pool of recognition, wealth, and respectability. Controlled by the insiders, whose major crime is somewhere between market manipulation and ego stroking. His career is devoted to deciding who is how much of what and why. Then charting that against his ego. Brutal.

Respect.

Saltz covers the goings on at No Soul for Sale (X-Initiative)… free space, cheap art, communal spirit.

Check out the comments section where William Powhida champions his free economy projects that happened before the market collapsed.

This is why I like William Powhida. He will brag about being anti market before anti market was even cool. Can you get back due credit for non-capital actions?

Any questions?