If Creativity was Currency

Some weeks back, the little Gallery Patrizia Zewe hosted Munich’s first art- for-service swap. Artists traded their works (see picture) for services they could use, like a course in digital photography or a ride to Frankfurt. Many similar exchange projects exist  – one of the latest that caught my attention is Clothing for Correspondence,  a service by professional texters, who will write your fun correspondence in exchange for second hand clothes.

Just odd experiments? Well, most of the time, creativity has to be translated into an accepted currency before it pays the bill. This is what David Thorne learned, when he allegedly tried to pay his electricity bill with a spider doodle in 2008. Now a Brooklyn hospital finds that time is an acceptable currency, too, and that health care services can be paid with performances.

In May, the Woodhull Medical and Mental Health Center in Brooklyn will launch the Artist Access program , which will allow artists to collect health care credits for a performance in the geriatric ward, for teaching drawing in the pediatric unit or for decorating the hospital interior with murals. Health care credits (40 credits per hour) can then be used to pay for fees incurred at Woodhull for health care services.

Transactions without money will become less exotic in the Gig Economy, I am sure of that. And, well, the reason I am shedding a light on this topic is that I am willing to exchange 5 of my doodle art envelopes for a decent sun hat.

Impact of Downturn on Services

Yesterday I was asked if there are any news reports on the impact of the downturn on the service industry in Germany.

I could not find anything specific. The German media are full of stories, of course, but the main concern at the moment is on how long and deep the recession will hit Germany, what it means to GDP growth and unemployment. The industry that gets most attention probably is the car industry.

Consumer confidence in the U.S. has cracked much earlier than it did in Europe. So, based on the "weak signals" I gathered from there it can be deduced that service industry will suffer - but there are also new service demands.

U.S. consumers cut spending on extras (including services like eating out, having someone to mow the lawn etc.) and spend more time at home + with family.
From my "signal collection" I see evidence for growing need for services that support:

• Financial security: One of the biggest questions is "where is my money still save"? And another one "where can I earn money"? (An interesting idea to the last question are "gold parties" - modelled after Tupper parties, but instead of buying plastic boxes you get money for gold jewelry in the assuring company of friends in your own house).
  Alternative ownership models: e.g. car sharing, second hand shops, renting toys, buying a stake in farm land and work there during leisure time,...
• Enjoying the home: Americans (and also many Europeans) traveled less during the summer. Their attention turns to house + garden. Interest e.g. in courses/services related to gardening, cooking, pets, bike repairing,...
• Health: it seems that demand for dental services (more teeth grinding, seriously) and psychological consultations went up. Also in health sector “help to help yourself” is seen as having potential
• Professional qualification seen as the best way to face threat of unemployment. One growing field is e.g. brain training
• Security: rising theft and other more threatening delinquencies leave consumers as well as companies and cities in fear. Everything that helps to track “out of the way” behavior (including panic) and helps guard against offenses has potential