Kathryn Kenworth and Sasha Petrenko of San Francisco think that we are spending beyond our means and our current currency system is severely lacking. They believe now, more than ever, is the time to discover a more personal avenue for exchange: and the answer is Non*Mart.
Opening on November 6, the two month experiment bases its commerce on trade, stripping back flashy packaging, advertising, and marketing. The idea is to get both buyers and sellers interested in trading for their respective wares: art, designs, clothing, services, etc.
Kathryn says: We believe that it is time for Non*Mart. We are spending beyond our means to keep up with the lure of consumerism, meanwhile, the economy is in crisis and the planet is slowly becoming littered with junk. As artists and creative people, it is time to intervene, now is the time to make community, now is the time to turn the junk we’re inheriting into something beautiful, useful, new.
On Friday night from 6-8 pm, join the ladies for a book swap, fashion exchange, and logo removal service along with ever-popular drinks and snacks, and experience the new alternative to bill-swapping.
I think all this sounds great, but the logo removal service is just silly. I did that once back in high school with a pair of second hand “luxury” jeans. Upon telling a friend about it she said “yeesh, and I thought *I* cared what people thought about me.” Yeah, she was right. If The North Face makes a high quality jacket that keeps you warm in the winter, give credit where it’s due.
I think this is a great idea. It’s about time we start bartering again!