::Acts of eks-Change::
For this action, we created 100 eks and 20 envelopes that were distributed by us to Forum goers. (click on the link to learn more about eks) When someone was recognized as being proactive in their participation to the conference (and the larger city of Detroit) (e.g. asking a question at a presentation, maintaining a community garden) they were given an envelope with 5 eks inside. The outside of the envelope will act as a record of the holders of the envelope and reciever of a Note. Recipients were instructed to pass the envelope along to another they come across that they feel has also made a contribution. The fifth and final reciever of the envelope will be asked to mail the envelope/record back to us which we will display as a record of the social exchanges/recognitions that took place during the Forum and city of Detroit. We photographed recievers with their envelope as the beginning of an archive to display alongside the envelopes that they once possessed.
With this action, we are highlighting the value that is inherent in simple social exchanges, using the common format of a note (bill, dollar, check, etc) that generally values objects and the selling of our knowledge/labor/time. This encourages and activates the value of social interactions that may have not occured otherwise, challenging the creation of value on a person to person basis.
::the following denotes the text that will be included on the envelope containing the eks notes::
You are being presented with an ëks note in recognition of your significant contribution to the 2010 Detroit U.S. Social forum. In a greater sense, you are being recognized for producing acts that do not have established valuation systems by nationally instituted currency systems.The ëks note is an alternatively organized economic system established by the Floating Lab Collective that is based on community empowerment. Please keep this note as a receipt of your worthwhile energy. You now have the power to continue this process of independent valuation by passing an ëks note along to another individual whose energy you deem worthy of recognition. Take a look around you and make note of activity that you consider deserving of acknowledgement.These moments may be as intimate as a thoughtfully posedquestion or as large scale as a group performance: it is your decision to make. Directions:
•Once you have made your decision, please describe the recipients’ honorable activity in the spaces provided on the back of the envelope. Write your description in the numbered space that corresponds with the order in which you received the note.
•Present the ëks note to the recipient. It is for them to keep.
•Present the envelope of remaining ëks notes to the recipient and explain their opportunity to continue the process of independent valuation.
•There are five opportunities for exchange: we ask the fifth recipient to mail the completed pre-paid, pre-addressed envelope.
•if you are not the fifth and final recipient but do not wish to continue the cycle, we ask that you please explain your decision in one of the spaces on the envelope and to please mail the packet.
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Once the Floating Lab Collective receives any ëks note envelope, we will post documentation online.
To learn more about the ëks-Change project and other works that The Floating Lab collective has produced, please visitwww.floatinglabcollective.org
To learn about other community currency projects, please visit: http://wiki.provisionslibrary.org/currency/
