Back in October, visitors were able to enter Tom’s Exchange in Paris - an entire economy that existed within the walls of Thaddaeus Ropac in Paris. Tom’s financial system ran for 24 hours, and people could trade among themselves, Tom’s “official” exchange or a more shady black market.
Using porcelain beads and hand-painted coins as currency, people bartered their way towards Tom’s gold standard of wealth - chocolate bouillon. Inside these specially wrapped Reese’s peanut buttercups were tickets for claiming ‘Chocolate Bouillon Tokens’ - a custom cryptocurrency Sachs’ had made for the event. Most people started with Euro’s and purchased a few beads direct from Tom’s exchange, but my favorite story is about someone who took a different path:
I exchanged my clothes for the chocolate bouillon. I have to go home, cause I just have a t-shirt and no jacket anymore.
That little story is incredible; I could sit here and write all sorts of jubilant words about that little nugget. But physically “losing your shirt” to gain more wealth and status in Tom’s economy? That has to be a perfect outcome for a participatory artwork like the exchange. Tom had no idea what was going to unfold in October; he could only set the rules and wait for the involvement of us - the audience - to complete the work.
Photos: Samuel De Goede
Originally written for the Sachsian Syndicate.
Comments:
You can join the conversation on Twitter or Instagram
Become a Patreon to get early and behind-the-scenes access along with email notifications for each new post.
Hi! Subconsciously you already know this, but let's make it obvious. Hopefully this article was helpful. You might also find yourself following a link to Amazon to learn more about parts or equipment. If you end up placing an order, I make a couple of dollarydoos. We aren't talking a rapper lifestyle of supercars and yachts, but it does help pay for the stuff you see here. So to everyone that supports this place - thank you.