The Final Exchange.

To begin my conquest of exchange, I started to collect objects directly off the line. I asked random people from Alfred State, Alfred University, and the town to exchange what they had in their pocket with a simple exchange of words/leaf/wild flower. I collected ten objects which included a leaf, receipts, loose change, medicine, an earplug, starburst wrapper, a tea bag, a blunt tube, a piece of paper with the quote: “Butter both sides of the bread,” and a letter to myself. These items will be stored away in my one year time capsule to remind me of foundations and my first year at Alfred University.

For my next time capsule of four years, I decided to gather items from my friends which “represents” their being in some way. This time capsule would be opened on graduation and we will see the exchange in identity through the years. In the end, I collected thirty objects from my friends including:

1. Steph- Number five pool ball
2. Gab- hemp bracelet
3. Laurel- evil eye bracelet
4. Sam- Advil
5. Chelsea- Favorite Songs
6. David- Cup of Noodles
7. Drew- Vanilla Chai Tea
8. Emily- Card from Home
9. Clare- Lion with Note to Self
10. Ali- Red Bull
11. Anakin- Perfume
12. Eric- Cologne
13. Rachel- Arizona Tea Can
14. Brendon- Cardboard Chair
15. Kaelyn- Paper Swan
16. Sadey- Address
17. Laura- Sand Art
18. Paige- Doodle
19. Mike- Hot Topic Discount Card
20. Jeff- Fishing Liscence
21. Kathryn- Brother Button
22. Zach- Personal Button
23. Leckie- Bead
24. Lexi- Decorated Stick
25. Latissa- Ring
26. Danielle- Ring
27. Tanner- Trunk Key
28. Brad- Extra House Key
29. Zack- Matches
30. Erica- American Eagle Discount Card

Also, I included another letter to myself. Everyone seemed to be quite excited to dig it up once we graduated. They wondered whether they would recall what object they had given me.

My final time capsule was suppose to be opened after ten years. This capsule represented the exchange in cultural. I collected an Alfred Newspaper, a list of the top ten movies, current New York gas prices, a picture of myself and my boyfriend, a map of Alfred University, a book from the Exchange Stand, top ten songs of the week of October 6, favorite shirt, and my final letter to whomever was to find the capsule.

Next, I had to decided what was going to keep my objects safe and sound from the outside world. I decided ziploc bags and my Alfred University travel mug would suffice for my first time capsule. My second and third had more objects/objects that were bigger; therefore, I decided I needed to purchase plastic tubs, bubble wrap, and press and seal wrap. I purchased my second capsule from Unimart (located on the line!!) . My third and biggest capsule from Walmart along with bubble wrap, which is pink for breast cancer. This is another reminder of what time frame I did the line project during. Each capsule also had a marker which Repo kindly provided- two wooden posts and one slate of stone. I painted them with a label of how many years and decided the ten year capsule should have have the slate of stone.

The location of my burial of the capsules is on “my” part of the line which is in just the beginning of the woods (part 6). Digging was difficult. There were many roots and rocks that blocked my way to a sufficient hole. After some hard labor I buried my first capsule. Thankfully, for my second capsule I had a helping hand (thanks michael! :]). After hours of labor, we conquered the roots and stone!

I’m hoping people gather how my word, exchange, is timeless just like the line. Always in transit and being influenced by new ideas, topics, people, culture, etc.

Hokay, So Heres My Plan.

As you all should know by now, my word is exchange. As my extended research project I have decided to compose three time capsules:

Time Capsule One- I will put things I exchanged on the line in a day. I may ask people what they have in their pockets, exchange greetings, hugs, smiles, etc. Anything is plausible since I feel exchange has no limits. This capsule is more personal and will be opened at the end of freshman year as a reminder of what I have accomplished over the past year. The main concept to this capsule is to let me explore how simplistic an exchange can be. Some things I exchange are not concrete; therefore, I cannot put them into the capsule. I will be sure to enclose a note telling myself what I had exchanged that day. There will also be a letter telling myself about my current actions and writing whatever is on my mind.

Time Capsule Two- I want this time capsule to be more communal. I am going to ask friends from Alfred University to put something in the time capsule that represents them. It may be as simple as a mailing address or a letter to themselves or an object. It doesn’t matter. I, myself, will include another letter of praise congratulating myself on the graduation, as well as, be a reflection on who I am today. When I read the letter in the future hopefully I would have grown and get to see my changes. This capsule will be revealed after graduation (May 2015). It is suppose exchange the past identities to the future. A reminder of who we were and where we will stand four years from now.

Time Capsule Three- My final time capsule is going to grasp the idea of  cultural exchange. Concealed within the capsule will be history, like newspapers, music, styles that were “in” at the time. I may put a picture of myself and write a letter to future Alfred students. Hopefully, they will enjoy the contents and remember their childhood again (wow this makes me feel old).

All the capsule are going to be buried on different parts of the line. I will have to get permission to dig up Alfred property, but it should not be a problem since Alfred is use to “crazy” art students. Posts or a stone of some kind will be placed on top of where the time capsule is, so I/future Saxons don’t have to figure it out later. I plan to place the 10 year capsule in the woods (section 6 of the line), the 4 year capsule in a garden near the statue of King Alfred, and the 1 year capsule right behind Cohen near the creek. The whole process is a giant exchange: gathering the items, putting them in the capsule, taking the earth away when digging the holes, then putting it back, and most importantly, the unfolding of the capsules.

Materials is a difficult thing to think of at this moment… But after scavenging about, I feel the Alfred travel mugs are good capsules. For my 4 year capsule (the biggest one) i’m going to have to do some exploring to see if there are any materials i could use to form a capsule.

Additional Thoughts About Exchange.

I googled the word “exchange” and searched through the pages trying to find other perspectives of exchange that i had not thought of. I came across a theory:

Exchange Theory: a theory associated with work of George Hamans and Peter Biau and built on the assumption that all human relationships can be understood in terms of an exchange of roughly equivalent values.

-exchanges are seldom monetary rather they are frequently intangible like intimacy, status, connections, etc.

I then continued to do a survey on Facebook and ask, “What do you think of when you hear the word “exchange?”
Some answers i received were:

-two people trader
-money
-kisses
-drugs
-returning clothes for a different size
-classes
-foreign exchange
-slavery
- “pay it forward” concept

 

Collecting.

I observed the different exchanges on the line today.
It rained on the line:
as the water soaked into the ground it gave the plants nutrients and quenched their thirst. Evaporated then returned into the atmosphere to be gathered and complete the exchange.
When the rain stopped:
The sun came out and helped the evaporation process while the rays warmed the Earth’s ground.
People emerged from buildings to exchange a few words- greetings, small talk, or extensive conversations.
There were exchanging of handshakes, laughter, and smiles.
Footsteps walked through the line which exchanged with force.
As it become sunnier, the animals came out.
A squirrel buried his nuts for winter and in exchange a tree may grow there one day.
Birds exchange chirps with each other.
The breeze blew pollen around which were exchanged with other flowers to produce more.
The water overflowed in the creek, giving water to the ground while taking their branches and plants away.
As I make footprints in the mud, in return, I get plants rocks and mud on my boots.
In the woods, worms burrowed back into the ground to exchange nutrients with the dirt.
The line is just a small speck in our world where exchange occurs.
It is timeless. Think back to the beginning of time.
What exchanged in the line back then?
Evolution paid its toll and in return it got society today.

Define the Word.

Exchange.

Verb.

to give up something for something else; part with for some equivalent; change for another

to replace with an equivalent or something else

to give and receive reciprocally; interchange

to part with in return for some equivalent; transfer for a recompense; barter

to capture in return for a capture by the opponent generally piece of equal value

Noun.

the act, process, or an instance of exchanging

something that is given or received in exchange or substitution for something else

a place for buying and selling commodities, securities, etc., typical open only to members

a central office or central station

the method or system bu which debits and credits in different places are settled without the actual transfer of money, by means of bills of exchange representing money values

When I first think of exchange I actually think of exchange in the body. Veins exchanging blood cells throughout the body. The neurons exchanging messages with other neurons, which then will be brought up to the brain. The brain then relays the messages back to the body and in exchange the parts react. When breathing, new oxygen going in our lungs, while the carbon dioxide is released out. We exchange with our environment while living. When walking, we exchange force with gravity, so there is an equal reaction. We exchange handshakes with other people, words, ideas, feelings. In a sense, we “feed” off each other, taking what we need at that time and returning the favor at that moment or later. We cannot survive without exchange. Our life is an unending exchange of experiences and without the interaction we would not function properly. Centuries ago we exchanged, or “traded.” Adopting each others ideas and building off the new ideas. Exchange brought us society today, for better or for worse. Exchange also happens with the dead. The body exchanges with the ground or flames. Giving its flesh to nourish for better soil or a bigger flame. In exchange for honoring the dead, they give us stories of their lives. Exchange lives in past, present, and future. Its a function and an act. Every instance in time an exchange is in transit. Its mind boggling really… to think about every exchange possible in the world. What is everyone doing right now? Exchanging. It seems to always be a plausible answer.

Exploring the Line.

Exploration 30- Travel History

The early fall leaves lead you down the grassy hill thats filled with wild flowers
and bugs. There is a stone wall with dozens of small rocks which lead to a plant
with big, green leaves. This plant seems out of place. Man plant it here instead of
natural birth. Lay down in the long grass and let the sun kiss your skin. This is
the end of your journey.