Market of Impossible Things Critique

Impossible Things Market Critique
by Group 30

“Each theme provided another layer of complexity in the construction of this “true” story while recognizing the elusiveness, if not impossibility, of absolute truth.”
“Image as text: Truth and Memory in Family History” Elizabeth Suda

The Impossible Things market based itself on the concept of time, split into three sections; past, present and future. Time itself can be considered an ‘impossible thing’, particularly as something you can buy/sell at a market.

The market ran on a charity/experience system; none of the stalls charged any concrete currency. One stall in particular charged in time, making players give up 60 seconds by waiting before giving them this time back as play time. This itself is a good example of ‘impossible things’ as nothing tangible was every exchanged.

There was a wealth of variety across the stalls, aided by the three section theme. The stalls in the ‘past’ section all felt very similar, as they based off the shared nostalgia of New Zealand childhood. They provided just enough context for the participant, then inviting them to “construct meaning … based on what they know and believe”. (Suda)

The present and future sections were much more varied. This made these sections feel less cohesive in theme, but did allow for a broader range of activities. The use of dark space in the future section created a good mood, but not all of the stalls fit in with it.