About the artwork

This exchange gathering has been taking place every three years since 2003 as part of the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennial. The project aims to create serendipitous ties by encouraging participants to exchange and keep for three years personal items they happen to have on hand. Items are returned three years later. Reuniting with one’s personal items is like opening a time capsule. Overseeing the exchange is a dog in a stuffed animal suit named “Tamami the White Dog,” who witnesses and photographs the people exchanging items.