Show & Tell (And Talk and Tangent)

In their debut Interintellect Salon, Trstn opens a space to explore objects, things, materiality and the immaterial, and delve into and catalyze tangents.

“Show and tell” is an activity common in preschool and elementary school used to develop storytelling ability among children. It can be an icebreaker, help bridge the gap of school and home, and allow a teacher and fellow students connection and understanding. A child brings an object from home, explains why they chose it, where they got it, and any other relevant information. Although not always enjoyable for shy students, it’s an activity that allows and encourages the chance to talk about a thing that matters.

Not long after we come into this world, we all start making connections and forming relationships with objects. Toys become tools, tools become toys, things allow us to connect — or act as doorways into escapist dreamscapes. We play with things, play with things with others, learn to gift things, break things, find things. We build stories around things that come into our lives for this reason or that, or stick around for a while. Some things cost a lot and mean very little, sometimes it isn’t clear how much something cost and its worth is immeasurable. Things are left behind when we lose people, they intertwine with grief. Some cultures hope to live on with their things in another life, some give their things away as rights of passage. Things are exchanged in romantic gestures. Grand gestures, overpriced rings, cliche flowers or perfectly chosen unbirthday gifts, or little love notes and hidden curiosities. We become addicted to objects that connect to other objects that allows us to buy more objects. And, so often without meaning to, we treat other people like objects. We probably talk about things and objects too much, but we should probably talk about them a whole lot more.

In this salon we will show and tell and explore whatever arises. Tangents are encouraged and watered profusely. Bring an object of any sort and be prepared to tell us about it. All are welcome from mundane to emotionally charged.

Some examples:

• A 6B Staedtler pencil
• A pair of worn out sandals your ex gave you
• Your favourite rock
• A lucky charm you bring everywhere
• A sentimental book
• That pair of socks you still wear with too many holes
• A souvenir that doesn’t have any other purpose

Some questions we might explore:

• What makes a thing valuable?
• What things are irreplaceable?
• How much does the context matter?
• Is it possible to have true copies, or are all things unique?
• Is it good to treat things like beings?
  • And why is it wrong to treat beings like things?

Some links to give a gander (optional):

• You have to recharge your talismans (twitter thread)
• How It’s Made Bricks (video)
• Oakley Factory Tour | How Are Cycling Sunglasses Made? (video)
• The new maximalism (vox article)
• The Iconic Lips Sofa Turns 50 (architectural digest article)
• Kaweko pen history (kaweko website)
• The Blackwing pencil (blackwing website)

***

🗓 ii Calendar

📋 Code of Conduct

📚 Become a member, get a free ticket every month, access our forums, members-only events, and more!

–