The Free Peddler- Connection to Gran Fury

Currently, in The Socrates Annual, Antone Konst has created a work of art that engages socially and politically to the community and the space. His work, Free Peddler, takes on the role of the traveling salesperson, that has been a trope throughout history. This "peddler" takes on a different role in this work, providing a platform on its back for the community and visitors to place and take objects. The artist has stocked the sculpture with items that he deems "necessary" such as books, tampons, unperishable foods, books, etc. and invites the public to leave and take things as well. I visited this exhibition which is located in Socrates Park in LIC a few weeks after the opening and the objects placed by the public were very interesting. Some were obviously a joke such as an old sock or knotted shoelaces, other took it seriously, placing water bottles, band-aids, reading glasses and maps of the city, discount coupons, and others took a sentimental or personal approach placing postcards to people that it would never reach, flyers to cultural events in the area, jewelry, personal phone numbers for "a chat", condoms, an advertisement for Bumble, VIA coupon code,  etc.

This work has become a platform for the trade of good that reflects our contemporary society. In some ways, it shows how politics has a role in our everyday lives with the inclusion of tampons which are taxed, educational books that represent the inaccessibility to education/the downgrading of the education system, and basic first aid items such as band-aids, reading glasses, and painkillers to show the inaccessibility to proper and affordable health care. It also reflects our society's culture through the inclusion of the dating app advertisement, the flyers for cultural events, and pop culture magazines.

Although the sculpture is constructed and presented in a playful and innocent way within an environment that houses many other works with different meanings, it is important to acknowledge the function of the work in relation to the space. Being that Socrates is a non-profit, free to the public park, it becomes accessible to anyone in the park, creating a sense of give-and-take within the community in addition to providing a visual representation of the current culture of the area. Its funny demeanor takes away from its seriousness, making it an inviting piece that one would likely interact with yet, for some, this work serves as a provider, a resource, or a simple catalyst for reflection of what they can give to others and the community.