Detail from agoraXchange (Theatre), c. Natalie Bookchin and Jacqueline Stevens, 2003

agoraXchange was initiated by Natalie Bookchin and Jacqueline Stevens as an online community focused on designing a multi-player game.

Throughout 2003, Bookchin and Stevens implemented various incentives intended to solicit contributions, creating a forum for the exchange of ideas, where people were asked to work together and engage in an open dialogue. Participants were encouraged to answer questions that prompted them to make decisions about the game design and, in the process, explore political alternatives to the present global order by accommodating four decrees that challenged present conventions for awarding nationality and wealth.

The interface was proposed as the first phase of a long-term project, after which a committee of artists, activists, and political theorists would convene to review the contributions, and propose three distinct game prototypes. A jury comprised of agoraXchange participants, would then vote on the proposals and decide on the final game to be developed.

Detail from agoraXchange (Theatre), Natalie Bookchin and Jacqueline Stevens, 2003

agoraXchange carries on from previous projects by Natalie Bookchin, such as Metapet and The Intruder, where the artist has engaged with some of the issues surrounding genetic engineering and women’s rights through the use of humour, irony and a connection with popular game culture.

agoraXchange received financial assistance from the Daniel Langlois Foundation for Art, Science and Technology.

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