Bulk Buy —
Pop-up Shop & Interactive Exhibition
October 25-28, 2023Testing Grounds Emporium
432 Queen Street, Naarm/Melbourne
BACKGROUNDWhen purchasing raw materials from a pottery supply store in many countries, one receives very limited information about the material. Often, these supply chains are unclear or obfuscated, as some global distribution networks and mineral manufacturers have structured their business practices to exploit cheap labour and take advantage of more relaxed environmental and human protections for workers in low and middle-income countries.
For Bulk Buy, every material was sourced and processed locally.. Material research was open source and available to all attendees based on their most recent link in the supply chain.
Information sheets containing the location and correlating Indigenous Country, processing suggestions, safe handling requirements and material qualities were displayed alongside test tiles. The test tiles displayed examples of how the material could be used in the clay body or as a glaze component, showing audiences the potential for these second life and circular materials.
Empowerment through education and the bringing together of community were important focuses. Talks, demonstrations and a pot-luck style shared lunch all helped to facilitate discussion amongst potters and create a space where techniques and material knowledge could be openly shared.
LABEL INFORMATIONA sample of labels printed for packaging during the Bulk Buy exhibition, printed on 100% plastic free, BPA free, industrially compostable ecolabels used on 100% recycled Brown paper bags.
Labels with batch numbers, estimated chemical composition, symbols indicating ethical labour, recycled content, safe handling recommendations and a description were designed to include important information missing in the current industry.
TRANSFER OF CUSTODY AGREEMENT INFORMATIONTo minimise waste, each Bulk Buy customer was encouraged to only purchase their required quantities, unlike in many pottery supplies stores where materials are sold in minimum weights of 1kg. Instead of selling the materials as a commodity, we used a Transfer of Custody Agreement which aims to encourage a paradigm shift around “ownership”. Payment was made for processing labour and packaging rather than the material itself. By signing the agreement on transfer, the new custodians promised to use the material respectfully and to keep it in circulation.