Following the successful launch of Art Barter in London last Nov, which featured 50 artists including
Tracey Emin, Gary Hume, Mat Collishaw and Gavin Turk; Art Barter held it’s second show in Berlin in
June 2010. The Berlin event showcased the work of 25 Berlin based artists such as Jonathan Monk,
Jason Dodge, Saâdane Afif and Uwe Henneken. Art Barter has now landed in New York City.
Early in 2009 it became apparent that there was a shift in how people were getting hold of what
they wanted or needed in life. Projects such as the free shop and freecycle were prevalent and
the exchange of skills between friends and businesses were on the rise. Art Barter was inspired
by this as well as the Burning Man festival in Nevada desert where nothing is for sale but
everything is up for barter and the RCA’s secret postcard auction where all artists are treated
equally no matter what their name or usual sale price. Art Barter created an environment where
the artist once again holds complete control and where the viewer always has a chance to
acquire the works on display. Artists have always been familiar with the use of barter, from
Picasso exchanging sketches for his meals, to hotels such as the Chelsea in NY, accepting art
as payment for rent. However, the Art Barter event is unique in its promotion of such a form of
exchange in the current art market and in the lasting working relationships that are being born
out of the project. Previous shows have seen artists such as Tracey Emin exchange her work for
30 hours of French tuition and Jason Dodge exchange for a week in a Scottish castle. Other
exchanges include 3 months of psychotherapy, website design, a gallop on a white horse,
precious jewelry and expense paid holidays to exotic locations. Please visit our website for
further examples and information.
There is a catch at Art Barter where you will not know which artwork belongs to which artist until after
the show’s end. This creates a gamble for the public and will make people value the art without being
predisposed to a name, title or price tag. Having to barter also entices the viewer to think about what
they have that is unique to offer the artist.
The way it works…
Each artist’s work is displayed in the exhibition with a unique number next to it. Viewers are invited to fill
out barter forms with their offers on any work that they desire. These offers are then displayed for the
duration of the show on a pin board, which by default becomes a focal point of the exhibition as the days
pass and more offers are made. At the end of the show the artists will choose from all the offers made
on their work and will decide which (if any) offer they would like to exchange their work for.
PLEASE DO NOT BRING YOUR ITEMS FOR EXCHANGE TO THE SHOW! If the artist is interested in
your offer we will be in contact for more information shortly after the show.
www.artbarter.co.uk
Venue: NP Contempoary Art Center, 131 Chrystie Street, New York, NY 10002
Dates: December 8th Private Launch night for VIP’s and press
December 9-12th Open to the public, 12-6pm
Artists include:
TIM BARBER / JAY BATTLE / MARIA BERRIO / ASGER CARSLEN / JULIANA CERQUEIRA
LEITE / JOSH CHEUSE / CLEMENCE DE LIMBURG / POPPY DE VILLENEUVE / DICK EVANS /
SAM FALLS / JOEL FITZPATRICK / BRUCE HIGH QUALITY FOUNDATION / JOEY FRANK /
GEORGIA G. GRAY / ELIZABETH GREGORY-GRUEN / BAPTISTE IBAR / MICHAEL JOO /
CHARLOTTE KIDD / TERENCE KOH / LEIGH LEDARE / FRANKIE NAZARDO / RACHEL
RAMPLEMAN / MICK ROCK / THEO A. ROSENBLUM / HOLTON ROWER / PIETRO RUFFO /
TOM SACHS / SASHA VINE / JON WALDO / DUSTIN YELLIN
For more information or for images please contact:
Lauren Jones lauren@artbarter.co.uk
Alix Janta alix@artbarter.co.uk
