Based on the idea that conversation is the most valuable research tool with which to unearth community economies, during the "Conversation Market" we discussed personal experiences and observations about economic daily life with the co-researchers, communities we invited, and passersby. In this way, everyone—and equally no one—was considered an expert on the subject.
"Conversation Market" #1, Hoog Catharijne shopping mall, Utrecht, 1 July 2013, photo: Aimée Zito Lema
The setting for the event was created by artist Aimée Zito Lema in
collaboration with architect LeRyan. Through her inspiring workshop "Sitting is a Verb – Rietveld for (Un)usual Business",
which extended itself to the location of the "Conversation Market",
people could build their own Rietveld crate chair. The chairs, as
well as three specially designed over-sized crate tables provided the
furniture for the "Conversation Market", creating an “unusual” research
environment that prompted a large number of people to participate while
frequently catching the eye of passersby.
The "Conversation
Market" was organized as an "open space", a way of structuring meetings
where people decide for themselves what they want to talk about and what
they feel is important to discuss. To be able to use the conversations
for further research, we asked the participants to keep track of their
conversations on large sheets of paper (see image above). The harvest
from the "Conversation Market" was a set of inspiring mind maps that
showed that Utrecht is in fact full of small initiatives and people who
cherish sharing, self-sufficiency, sustainability, community, and social
development. It also showed that the definition of economy extends
beyond the concepts of work, money, and consumption, and into our daily
lives.
The second "Conversation Market" "exists in our pen",
as we say in Dutch, so stay tuned for more information and join us soon
for "Conversation Market"'s second coming!
"Conversation Market" #1, Hoog Catharijne shopping mall, Utrecht, 1 July 2013, photo: Aimée Zito Lema
