Gift
Gift was an exhibition of new work by The Ideas Exchange including video, performance, painting, photography and social intervention, and a series of events and workshops at the OVADA Galery and around the city of Oxford. 5 April - 24 May 2008.
The exhibition took the broad theme of GIFT, which reflected the groups' commitment to social and conceptual exchange, a hallmark of the artists in the group. A reciprocal practical dialogue emerge throughout a three week residency by the artists at the gallery prior to the exhibition. During this time ideas developed and solidified as the differing intentions and interests of the artists contrasted and blended.
The theme of ‘Gift’ was diversely explored in this exhibition. To most people a gift is usually perceived as a physical object, but in most cases, what is really being given is a gesture of friendship, guilt, sympathy or another underlying value. This concept of the ‘Gift’ and gift giving was uniquely interpreted by each artist, illustrating the different ways in which value can be passed on.
In a gift economy, like in any other economy, an exchange takes place. However unlike commercial economies where goods or services are offered in calculated exchange, gift economies make an informal offering that emphasize more intangible, social rewards. Although a gift may be given without explicit expectation of an offering in return, reciprocation lies at the heart of gift giving. In his book The Gift, the anthropologist Marcel Mauss (1872 – 1950) stated the three fundamental laws of gift giving: to give, to receive and to reciprocate.
Through the exhibition the artists explored how the gift can exist as a sincere gesture however it can also be bestowed with an agenda, even used as a form of manipulation. Mauss discusses gift giving as a reasoned and logical process where expectation of return is to be anticipated. Beyond this action of two-way exchange, Lewis Hyde discusses in his contemporary book also entitled The Gift how the action of giving can develop a chain of offerings, passing on values from one person to the next.
It is through these exchanges, both two-way and chain, that human bonds are created. For example within the work environment social responsibilities prompt offerings of time, energy and expertise. These gifts in whichever environment maintain human relationships and consequently allow social systems to function. The Ideas Exchange used Hyde’s book as the inspirational starting point for their own response to the notion of the gift and their explorations into reciprocity, currency and exchange. The concept of the gift underpins the group’s commitment to exchange and reciprocal dialogue.
Foreword by Helen Statham (Social Sculpture Research Unit, Oxford Brookes University)
University of Oxford
Botanic Garden and
Harcourt Arboretum
OVADA is supported by:
Through this exhibition the artists explore how the gift can exist as a sincere gesture however it can also be bestowed with an agenda, even used as a form of manipulation. Mauss discusses gift giving as a reasoned and logical process where expectation of return is to be anticipated. Beyond this action of two-way exchange, Lewis Hyde discusses in his contemporary book also entitled The Gift how the action of giving can develop a chain of offerings, passing on values from one person to the next.
It is through these exchanges, both two-way and chain, that human bonds are created. For example within the work environment social responsibilities prompt offerings of time, energy and expertise. These gifts in whichever environment maintain human relationships and consequently allow social systems to function. The Ideas Exchange used Hyde’s book as the inspirational starting point for their own response to the notion of the gift and their explorations into reciprocity, currency and exchange. The concept of the gift underpins the group’s commitment to exchange and reciprocal dialogue.
Foreword by Helen Statham (Social Sculpture Research Unit).
The exhibition takes place at the OVADA Gallery in Oxford from 5th April - 24th May 2008.
the ideas
exchange
