The Presence of Exchange – GIFT in Artistic Research and Beyond

This publication integrates empirical research, theoretical and fictional texts, art objects and artistic research to a nuanced and diverse understanding of the gift. We have brought together academic scholars and artist-researchers to interrogate existing and projected knowledges about the gift-concept.

The Presence of Exchange delves into how artist-researchers conceptualise, materialise, and articulate the idea of gift—its role in society and in our lives. Eleven authors and author groups compile thoughts and ideas expressed in and through artistic practices. They speculate from artistic perspectives on gift economy, gift as an invitation, as a bond in relationships, entanglements and love, gift as a test and especially as a form of presence in exchange.