Predalnica

Describe your idea and concept of your work in relation to the festival outlines:

Current austerity measures, brought on in response to the collapse of the financial system, are exerting a pressure on youth, already demoralised by their precarious position in society and a grim realisation of devaluation of their education. As no effective measures are being taken to actually solve their position, they have to either take care of their situation or take on more debt. Predalnica (Slovene for "chest of drawers") provides a p2p network for exchance of used clothes, giving the participants a possible income source to avoid the latter.

What kind of communication approach do you use?

We use participatory socially-responsive communication; Predalnica exists as a concept, not a finished product. The concept is built on just a few simple rules regarding the process of exchange and pricing of the clothes, that everyone can understand and follow. There is no repressive regulation, the higiene of the network is upheld by the participants, since it is in their mutual interest. As such, it can also multiply, into local and regional chapters, without loosing structure and effectiveness.

What are in your opinion concrete benefits to the society because of your communication?

Exchange of excess clothes one has accumulated during times of plenty, that are still in good condition, extends the life span of each piece, introducing the participants into the cultures of sharing and recycling. Because the items are sold by owners themselves, they gain social and economical experience through the process of participation and decrease their buying of new clothes from international brands with questionable practices. The participants should photograph the clothes on themselves, in contrast to the dehumanised manikins or photoshoped models. They are encouraged to work in partnership with their collegues in setting up their batch of clothes on sale and finish the exchange in person, possibly passing on the story of each piece.

What did you personally learn from creating your submitted work?

For me, as a designer, it was an experiment in socially-responsive communication, with a steep learning process. For two girls close to me, Katja and Julija, it was a first attempt at a complex public project with direct effect.

Why is your work, GOOD communication WORK?

It has effect on the pshychological and social level, raising moral by providing individuals with means to take their situation in their own hands, at least to some, albeit minor, extent. Regarding the used clothes, it stands in contrast to fetishized, overpriced vintage shops, with a rule, that the clothes should be sold at their reasonable value, at most at 50% of their original price. It hopes to show, that a self-organised citizen economy is not just possible, but effective.

Where and how do you intent do implement your work?

The newtork currently operates over Facebook, also but not just in response to it's exploitative business model, but being a concept, it can migrate to any other platform or even to a standalone site, if resources for such a site would become available.

Did your intervention had an effect on other Media. If yes, describe the effect? (Has other media reported on it- how? Were you able to change other media with your work- how?)

None for now, since it has been published just one week ago. Nevertheless it already has 249 participants and we're in process of openning the network to them all for the first time, after the initial testing period. We hold the feedback of the participants dear to our heart; it has been kind, supportive and eager of participation beyond our expectations.