"They are usually quirky, erotic, sedimented and absurd. They are unique to particular cities. It is through them that cities settle. Settling here is a process through which people come to terms with each other’s lives. It is not a process in which contradictions get resolved; instead, through settling, contradictions are able to co-exist."
Notes:
- Transactional Objects in an exhibition that explores the urban form through unique, semi-imagined objects, improvised and adapted to inhabit the urban space as an offer of an interchange between elements, people, and forms.
- There are interesting connections to Transactional Objects between my own research into marginal, 'wild' spaces and the making of improvised contraptions to survey these areas. In the exhibition text (link above), it talks about the idea of these objects mediate some sort of interchange between elements, people, and forms, "it is through them that cities settle." I found this a really intriguing quote, as it suggests that these objects are not only elements that explore and question things (perhaps as art is often expected to do?) but also are the very adhesive that makes it possible for a society to function effectively and meaningfully. I like how it pushes those boundaries and blurs between a real and hypothetical object/apparatus.
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