Each year Oupost for Contemporary Arts and the Center for the Arts Eagle Rock invite several artists to create installation/performance collaborations with local businesses. As a response to a New York Times article published earlier in the year reporting the effects of the economic crisis on small businesses in Eagle Rock, each participant in Intersections 2009 was asked to answer this question: how can an artist bring business to a neighborhood?

I organized a neighborhood potlatch, inviting all of the businesses in Eagle Rock to give away something they no longer needed. Here is my proposal in its entirety and documentation from the event:

I am proposing an Eagle Rock potlatch. Perhaps the best way to get the market flowing again is with generosity. Clear out the old stockpile and publicly demonstrate that there is still enough to go around and that wealth is to be found in our community. All of the businesses in the neighborhood will be asked to contribute something to be freely distributed to the public. This may be, but is not limited to: anything that has ceased to be of use to the business owner and may be of some potential use to a member of the community; stagnant surplus and items that may be impeding the flow of other materials; maintenance supplies; outmoded commodities; or even saleable stock. Anything the business owner feels able to sacrifice.

The collected items will be given away at a storefront or kiosk. The public is invited to take what they want. My hope is that items will be left in exchange for those taken and a continual flow of goods will be established. However, I do not want to insist on exchange or attach any stipulations to the gifts. Everything will be free for the taking. The potlatch will be advertised with a sign twirler, fliers, online and print postings and maybe balloons and music. Unless requested not to do so, all of the businesses will be promoted at the storefront/kiosk, whether or not they contribute to the potlatch, as a gesture towards solidarity in the neighborhood.

A vacant storefront is ideal, in order to begin to establish a path to it and point to the possibility for a business in that space. If this is not an option, I will construct a rudimentary kiosk and strategically situate it near Eagle Rock and Colorado to attract motorists and pedestrians (because who can resist FREE?) and hopefully divert foot traffic and attention to the corner businesses.