Facebook Secret Santa Project
About:
Friends of the artist on a social media network are invited to participate in a gift exchange among fellow friends of the artist on the site. Participants agree to purchase and receive a gift from someone that may be a complete stranger and whom their only commonality may be their common "friend" (i.e. the artist). Participants are encouraged to use social media and/or the internet to decide on a $5 gift to give their randomly assigned recipient.
Why:
This project is meant to explore how we think about the act of giving and receiving gifts and to whom we give them. How different is the emotional act and experience of giving a gift to a complete stranger compared to giving to a friend or family member? How does it compare to receive a gift from a stranger as we do from someone we know? How much does the actual physical gift matter to the overall experience? In addition, the project considers how we connect with other people through social media.
Friends of the artist on a social media network are invited to participate in a gift exchange among fellow friends of the artist on the site. Participants agree to purchase and receive a gift from someone that may be a complete stranger and whom their only commonality may be their common "friend" (i.e. the artist). Participants are encouraged to use social media and/or the internet to decide on a $5 gift to give their randomly assigned recipient.
Why:
This project is meant to explore how we think about the act of giving and receiving gifts and to whom we give them. How different is the emotional act and experience of giving a gift to a complete stranger compared to giving to a friend or family member? How does it compare to receive a gift from a stranger as we do from someone we know? How much does the actual physical gift matter to the overall experience? In addition, the project considers how we connect with other people through social media.
Participant Geographic Statistics:
- 26 participants
- 17 different cities
- 3 different states in the United States
- 2 different countries
- 17 different cities
- 3 different states in the United States
- 2 different countries
To participate (Participation closed for 2011):
If you are not a friend on Facebook: Friend the artist (Chuck Siler) and send a personal message "join secret santa project". You will be added and invited to participate in the event.
Once invited: Accept invitation prior to November 25th at 11:30 pm and send the artist a private message with your address. You will be notified on the 26th of who you are the Secret Santa for. You have until December 23rd to send them a $5 gift. You can search their wall, friend them, google them, or just blindly guess on a gift for them.
If you are not a friend on Facebook: Friend the artist (Chuck Siler) and send a personal message "join secret santa project". You will be added and invited to participate in the event.
Once invited: Accept invitation prior to November 25th at 11:30 pm and send the artist a private message with your address. You will be notified on the 26th of who you are the Secret Santa for. You have until December 23rd to send them a $5 gift. You can search their wall, friend them, google them, or just blindly guess on a gift for them.