From Sharing a Shelf to Shaping a Place

A shelf is a small amount of space. It can hold a few books, a collection of objects, or something someone has made. Taking care of it seems manageable. Starting an entire community space feels like a much larger undertaking.

The shelf we photographed at Bricolage during Shared Table 02 brought these two scales together. It was part of Shelf Life, a project by Playces that invites people to share their interests within an existing venue. Looking at it raises a question: how much room does someone need to begin contributing to the life of a place?

We often discuss community spaces through what they offer visitors: somewhere to sit, meet, read or spend time. There is another possibility worth considering. A place can also offer people a starting point for something they would like to bring into the world.

A manageable place to begin

According to Playces, Shelf Life worked with Bricolage and Comics World to invite participants to fill shared shelves with books, zines, art, crafts, recipes, playlists and other interests. Weekend sessions gave those contributions a further life, allowing people to gather around what had been shared. Playces developed the residency model and coordinated the venues, contributors and activities.

The appeal of the shelf is partly its scale. Someone may have a subject they care about without knowing how to organise an event around it. They might enjoy drawing, collect stories about a neighbourhood, or want to introduce others to an unfamiliar kind of music. A small, defined space gives that interest somewhere to go.

It also gives others an easy way to approach. An object or a handwritten recommendation can provide a subject for conversation before either person has to introduce themselves.

There is no guarantee that a display will lead to a gathering or a friendship. But it makes an interest visible and gives a possible connection something concrete to begin with.

Sharing books, sharing responsibility