The Silver Ring Project
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The Silver Ring Project was conceived as a semi-scientific attempt to force an attachment between individual and object. I asked thirty people to become owners or custodians of simple silver rings, which I had not made, for a period of six months. The participants could choose to buy the ring for ten pounds, or borrow the ring, in which case they would have to return it at the time specified. The speculation behind this was that the ‘owners’ would become more attached to their rings than the custodians, who would only form temporary connections in anticipation of having to return them. After six months everyone was asked to give or sell back their ring. At the end, it did not appear to matter whether or not the ring had been bought or borrowed. The biggest factor influencing people's attachment was use: if the ring had been worn or positioned in such a way that it became a familiar 'possession'.
