Thoughtful and considered
This time of course, the cabinet contained the 100 objects that were left at the end of Deptford X. I was fascinated to see how the students and staff would respond. How many changes would the 10 X 10 cabinet see? Would there be a significant difference between the way in which people from an FE College in Lewisham responded as opposed to those in a gallery space in Deptford? And if so, why?
Overall, the experience was very positive, with lots of thoughtful and considered exchanges taking place.
The cabinet had been on display in the College for several days and I was told it had been quite a talking point. Some students had obviously put a great deal of time and energy into creating the things that they left, one even going so far as to make a box to contain the beautiful object which she had made for exchange. A lovely handmade tile and an intricately designed 'first football' also stood out, as well as a student's first piece of origami work in the shape of a crane.
A beautiful hand-painted Ghanaian flag was brought along, adding a real vibrancy to the cabinet and a true sense that someone had really cared and brought some heart to 10 X 10.
I was sad to see it go later in the day, especially given that it was exchanged for a cigarette, albeit that the person who left it was trying hard to quit smoking.
So what might be the explanation for this? Some people suggested that it was a reflection of student poverty or even that those responsible were simply mean-spirited. But I think the answer comes down to the physical positioning of the cabinet. People who participated in the Deptford X version of 10 X 10 had made a conscious decision to be there – some came specifically to take part in 10 X 10 but even those who hadn't, had chosen to visit an art gallery.
By contrast, the 10 X 10 cabinet at the College was situated in a heavily pedestrianised space and as a result some of the students who participated on the day were simply passing by. When the cabinet caught their attention, they took the opportunity to help themselves to something, in return for whatever token object they happened to have with them. Money was left in a few instances, a number of pens (though I know for a fact that other pens left did have some significance to the people who left them) and one too many travel tickets and business cards for my personal liking.
At one point, what I can best describe as a 'broken window effect' started to occur. Once it was clear that some of the items being left didn't particularly mean anything to the people leaving them, others took their cue from that. It was short-lived, but this small burst of exchanges changed the cabinet significantly.
Of course, this is all part of the 10 X 10 concept but I realised that I found it difficult to tolerate. It wasn't the objects themselves that bothered me, but the spirit in which they were left. There came a point when I wished I could exert more power over what was going on. I wanted to intervene and tell people that it would be nice to leave an object that meant something to them – ask them not to leave money – but I'd said they could take an object in exchange for whatever they wanted to leave, so what could I do other than observe?
Special things
But over the day as a whole, these exchanges were a minority. Some special things were left and some lovely sentiments expressed by students and staff.
One student for example left a silver ring symbolising, he explained, a time when he had 'an ideal view of relationships.' He felt it was now time to move on.
A love letter with 'all wishes, feelings and memories' was kissed and let go of by another student and a china tea cup was taken to be used as a favour for the exchanger's impending wedding.
Sam left a little piece of himself in the shape of a passport photo; Yasemin left a McDonald's name badge as a symbol of letting go of a much hated job.
One woman brought a carefully laid stack of stones and delicately arranged them in the cabinet; a tiny doll was taken in exchange. The related story was too emotionally raw to be told just yet – rather like the story surrounding the diamond bracelet, perhaps the narrative will be told one day? Maybe the motto that ended up in place of the stones is a good omen?
A treasure box left by an enthusiastic and full of life dance student caught the eye of one woman who said she would love to have it to give to her Grandson.
In a true spirit of kindness, she told me that she felt unable to leave 'just anything' and returned sometime later with a huge Lindt chocolate bunny.
Although on her return the box had already been taken, she exchanged for something else in any case. I was struck by her generosity and determination to take part in 10 X 10 in such a positive way.
Good karma
Then, in another act that reflected well on humanity, a student decided to replace two 1p pieces with a thing of greater value – in this case, a small Swiss army knife. He had been struck he said by how some of his contemporaries had failed to see the 10 X 10 project not just as an opportunity to take but, equally, a chance to give.
Ironically, the two 1p pieces he took had been left in exchange for a Buddha so if there was good karma to be had, I think this student deserved it.
In all, over 100 exchanges were made. Lewisham College proved itself to be a thoughtful and generous community. The vast majority of people taking part did so in good spirit and some lovely glimpses into the more positive and delightful aspects of humanity were evident. The event was filmed by the College's media students who asked people to record their thoughts and feelings as they exchanged their objects. To see the short documentary they made click here