Aim:
To create a collection of jokes which is accessible to the public and in the process explore how we relate to strangers. I want to explore the idea that a fair social bargain can promote the crowd to interact with the work.
Method:
Turning a ubiquitous, possibly undesirable, experience into a novel and entertaining one by altering what the crowd gains from the interaction, leaning it in it's favour - manipulating a small detail and making a big difference.
I took to the street with a big sign:
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| Picture by: Laurent Moulinat |
When I see a person standing in the street, holding a
sign I immediately assume he's out to take advantage of me.
So, based on the idea that successful social endeavors
mean everyone involved stand something to gain I wondered what would happen if
that interaction was altered - I will give that person money if I get something valuable in return! I
cannot, however, assume most people have material possession they will be
willing to part with, or that they will feel what I am asking for represents a
fair deal. I needed to ask for something
everyone is likely to have – information: a story, an advice or a joke! The
advantage of jokes is that they can be consumed in bulk or individually, they
are not preachy or too heavy and they entertain, they are attractive.
I collected and video recorded over 40 jokes (here are some). My
challenge is to figure out how to present this collection in a way that retains
any lessons and relates to the experience. At present I am considering
attaching a projector to a coin slot and have a joke projected each time a
penny is inserted. I think a small amount like a penny is an equivalent to the
minimal level of involvement that can be expected from a person new to this project.
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