Barter Market

2015 - 2017

An initiative by INDIGOISM

Singapore


The Barter Market was conceived under the umbrella INDIGOISM, a platform for creative, synergistic collaborations working towards a greater good.


Created as a response to capitalism, the Barter Market was a collective effort between local makers, craftsmen, artists, musicians and skilled individuals in the community. The social initiative explored a minute scenario where money was taken out of transactions and attendees and vendors exchange their goods/services.

Rules to follow at Barter Market:

  • Vendors will list items they are seeking for in exchange for other goods/ services on the event day itself.
  • Each vendor will only trade when they can agree on the transaction and that the goods brought to them fit the exact bill of what they want.
  • Attendees will be immediately turned away from each vendor when they try to offer the vendor money.
  • Attendees can try to persuade vendors by offering them a skill or a service. Eg. Helping the vendors for the entire event, attract customers, singing a song.


The very first Barter Market was held at The Substation in 2015, where everything from tentage to booths and sound systems were bartered for, and vendors were not required to pay a cent for rental. This model successfully continued for the entire duration it ran for.

Over the course of 2 years the Barter Market saw 15 editions and multiple collaborators from Objectifs to Archifest, with the last edition involving 50 vendors that consisted of creatives such as artists, artisans, makers and designers, and was held in conjunction with SPH's Coffee Festival. The initiative also made it to Portland, Oregon where it saw multiple editions held as well.

Based on the concept of sustainability, the Barter Market sought to encourage a more human bonding experience as well as a possibility of an organically progressive society.