Also this issue: Ash -Juliet Fletcher Visible Work, Invisible Women -Paul Burress Phil Automaton Pre-party -Nancy Armstrong Suzanne Westenhoefer -Kristina Weise

November 21-27, 2002

mixpicks

John Freyer

by Chris Cummins

Ever wonder about the secret life of that Colecovision you just scored through eBay? Chances are it has a rich history of its own. Just ask John Freyer. In October 2000, the Iowa-based graphic designer decided to sell almost all of his worldly possessions using the juggernaut Internet auction house. What initially began as a way to remove clutter from his life rapidly transformed itself into a project that was equal parts online performance art and an examination of the impact that possessions -- regardless of how mundane -- have on our lives. Starting each auction with an opening bid of $1, consumers could purchase such belongings as Star Wars bed sheets, half-used bottles of mouthwash, old electric bills, cans of soup and clothes (pictured), and even Freyer's sideburns (politely stored in a plastic bag for safe delivery). Each winning bidder received a detailed history of the item and a request for information about the object's new surroundings. The resulting feedback inspired Freyer to travel across the country to visit his former things, a journey that is chronicled in his book, All My Life for Sale (Bloomsbury). This fascinating road trip across the information superhighway examines how this undertaking has changed him, as well as focusing on the power of the Internet to influence consumer culture and create community. Freyer will discuss the project and his new book this Friday. If you bought any of his items, it would be a great time to let him know about their adventures.

John Freyer reads from All My Life for Sale, Fri., Nov 22, 7 p.m., free, Borders, 1727 Walnut St., 215-568-7400, www.allmylifeforsale.com