Eloquence Magazine‘s new Itaewon headquarters will play host to a two-day art fair taking place this weekend. The pop-up exhibition operates on a barter system whereby participants trade their wares for goods or services. This means attendees can potentially swap cupcakes for a sketch, a photography shoot for a painting or studio assistance for a sculpture. Of course, it’s the artists who have the final say – if they don’t want to accept a bid they don’t have to.
According to the event organisers, the purpose of this market is to encourage communication between artists and art consumers about “alternative economies; the value of our collective skills, tools, goods and time; and what these various forms of capital mean to each one of us.”
An intriguing concept which will not only raise issues and create conversations but also allow the ‘consumer’ to become an artist too, should they wish to swap a creation of their own at the exhibition.
As well as the central focus of Barterlines there will be eats from Eloquence food lab, beer from Magpie, performance art, and an online bidding system for the featured work. The venue itself is an unusual space; an old two-story building in Bogwang-dong, near the Itaewon mosque.
An equal mix of Korean and international creatives are being spotlighted at the event including photographers, street artists, performance artists, illustrators and mixed-media artists. You can see the entire ‘line-up’, so to speak, of the 20+ artists participating over on or the website.
Barterlines is a non-profit event occurring on Saturday the 2nd of February from 2pm – 11pm and Sunday the 3rd of February. The exhibition opens at 2:30 on Saturday with a party at 6:00. On Sunday it runs from 3:00-5:30 at ELOQUENCE: international creators magazine (new Itaewon offices: 서울시 용산구 한남동 620-152).
While we’re on the topic of art, for the chance to win a Korean-influenced limited edition skate deck.
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