join in - the global shop
March 11th, 2007
I’m launching a new project today. The idea is simple; I’m hoping as many people as possible will visit a secondhand clothes shop, spend a small sum of money on a piece of clothing they wouldn’t normally wear and then send me a photograph of them wearing the new piece of clothing. I love the idea of people around the globe shopping with the same intent, and also buying something that might in a very small way change both how they see themselves and how they present themselves to the world. That feels like a lovely piece of global art.
The idea started in a email group I’m a member of. The group is for people who have worked through Julia Cameron’s wonderful book The Artist’s Way, and we occasionally organise global artist dates (Cameron’s term for small outings made to help refill the creative well). A few of us agreed to shop together one day last week and I already have some lovely images of my online friends in their secondhand finds.
I’ve been looking for ways to make art via the internet for a long time and it suddenly occured to me that this is exactly what we were doing with this idea, so I decided to open it up to the wider world (that’s you) and see what happens. It feels very exciting.
Would you like to join in? I hope so (and please spread the word).
March 13th, 2007 at 9:44 am
I pretty much only ever buy my clothes at second hand shops, like St. Vincent De Paul and Value Village. We use the money we save in giving and in buying art materials, books and child sponsorship to name a few…
I don’t have anything new of recent past as I am further budgeting. I am afraid I buy there as a serious customer and therefore only buy what I would actually wear
so, I’m probably not a good fit for your neat project. However, I am all for more of the world engaging in recycled shopping.
thrive!
Owen
March 13th, 2007 at 9:52 am
Hello Owen
Of course buying something you wouldn’t normally wear doesn’t mean you wouldn’t wear it; You might discover a whole new line of sartorial interest for yourself. I bought a couple of very cheap ties, something I haven’t worn in years. Wearing them has helped create a whole new me… I like that.
Of course you could also just justify the spend in terms of making art if nothing else.
Michael
March 13th, 2007 at 1:32 pm
on my failed visit to second hand shops I was particularly looking for something colourful that would signa; ’spring’ and I did try on a lovely pink cashmere jersey but it didn’t fit….
however the search continues…
March 13th, 2007 at 6:09 pm
Hi, Michael. Thanks for putting this together.
I got a head start on this bit of fun. Here’s a link to a description and a glimps at the results. Thrift Store Finds
:-), Kay
March 25th, 2007 at 12:38 pm
Michael, it sounds fun, but we have no charity shop in this town.
March 25th, 2007 at 12:39 pm
Improvising is fine - any secondhand shops, jumble sales, flea markets (even a regular shop would do)? I love the idea of chance finds in secondhand shops but the important bit really is buying something you wouldn’t normally wear.
Best wishes
Michael
March 26th, 2007 at 5:38 am
i did participate in the global shop and ended up with two red shirts i would normally never wear ;-0
however, it was so much fun, and it is early spring here, so i will wear them, at times, after all. thanks so much for the fun global artist date idea.
there were moments, during it, that were very hard for me (like when i thought i would leave with nothing!)
but in the end the experience has been growing, i have some new fun clothes for when i am exhibiting mySelf, and was a good one in general
love and peace,
sandi
February 28th, 2008 at 3:51 am
Hi Michael. Which is this email group based on Julia Cameron’s books? “The idea started in a email group I’m a member of. The group is for people who have worked through Julia Cameron’s wonderful book The Artist’s Way…”
Please send me info & link. Thank you.
I wrote you a few days ago, asking for new issues of “The beany”. Are you planning anything?
My best regards and greetings, Raf - from Italy