Curators Filipa Oliveira and Miguel Amado presented a group of artists’ commissions that played on the transactional nature of the art fair. From the Arte Contempo stand, visitors were invited to engage in a number of activities that reversed or subverted the usual exchange of money for goods or services.
Wednesday 14 October: Carey Young signed a limited edition of Donorcard – a version of the wallet-sized British organ donor card. Visitors were able to take a card for free but must countersign it in order for it to become art a status that will last only while both signatories are alive.
Thursday 15 October: Julieta Aranda and Anton Vidokle presented Time Bank, a trading scheme that bypasses currency. The unit of Time Bank is an ‘hour note’ which can be used to swap goods and services with a worldwide network of participants.
Friday 16 October: Brina Thurston’s Open Call consisted of an open submission offer to artists that were not included in the 2009 Frieze Art Fair. All the submitted proposals were presented at the booth for one day only.
Saturday 17 October: DAYTODAY0 was the culmination of an ongoing project in which Carolina Caycedo trades personal possessions and services. At Frieze Art Fair, Caycedo is traded commemorative patches and books about the project.
Sunday 18 October: In The Review Fia Backström is worked with a voice coach and a group of art critics to assist these writers to mount a compelling performance of their review of the fair.
In Hostess, Joana Bastos is taking on the persona and duties of a gallery assistant at the Arte Contempo booth for the duration of the fair.
Arte Contempo was located opposite gallery stand G1.
