WHAT IS
THE EXCHANGE ?
When meeting strangers, it is common
custom in The Inbound Lands to exchange
trinkets or found objects, and the stories
behind them. Believed to have been
spread by Birdfolk exploratory and trade
expeditions, the custom promotes social
harmony, teaches openness to strangers,
and encourages economic growth.
IN FOLKLORE AND MYTH:
The Exchange has long been a part of
Inbounds mythology: it is not uncommon
for Long Face Folk to use The Exchange as
a way of imparting magical items, words of
power, or other gifts to passing travelers.
Be warned, however! Long Face Folk are
often known (at worst) for their tricks, or
(at best) for the inscrutable farsightedness
of their reasons for giving you something
...but to be impolite and refuse is worse!
POPULAR TRINKETS:
Though many objects are found or
folkenmade, specific regions have developed
reputations for producing certain types
of trinkets, which can be prized among
collectors or have special symbolism.
Special souvenir tenugui designs are also
common, celebrating historic locations,
events, or philosophies. Ask the local
tenugui and trinkets shop what they offer!
HOW DO I GET TO
THE INBOUND LANDS?
Congratulations on your interest in our beautiful landscape!
The Inbound Lands is a multilayered, transmedia storytelling
experience, unfolding in key ways:
• through an interactive fiction adventure game, as
the player explores the world through text-based
interactions and literary puzzles;
• through collaborations with artists, musicians,
writers, makers, schools, and institutions, exploring
facets of the world through a cooperative lens;
• and through physical experiences, such as “artifacts,”
which take the form of handprinted currency,
art objects, installations and interactive exhibit
experiences, performances, and trade goods.
Newcomers can travel to our lands in several ways:
• online at heretherebe.com
• on Facebook at The Inbound Lands: Powell Station
• follow M Kelley at studiomnivorous.com & on
Instagram, or email at [email protected]
Previous Outbound Welcome Centers, educational hotspots,
& Inbound Lands content have been hosted by:
Wildacres Retreat, Little Switzerland, NC
The Brooklyn Art Library, Brooklyn, NY
The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
Treetop at Whittier, Whittier, NC
BNA International Airport, Nashville, TN
Queen Avenue, Nashville, TN
The Sideshow Fringe Festival, Nashville, TN
Maker Faire, Nashville, TN
Corvidae Collective, Nashville, TN
Montgomery Bell Academy, Nashville, TN
Harpeth Hall, Nashville, TN
The Inbound Lands has been proud to have been featured
by Native Magazine,The Nashville Scene’s Innovations issue,
12th & Broad, Country Life, Pecha Kucha Nashville, Embody
Your Muse, and The Right Side of Thirty.
A special note of thanks to friends, editors, and collaborators: Carrie Cox,
Daniel Roberts, Kanna Coffee, Jaime Raybin, Ralph Kelley, Stephen Zerne,
JT Peifer, Nikki Gray, & Joseph Heckle.
THE
EXCHANGE
A NEWCOMER’S GUIDE
TO GREETING STRANGERS
A QUICK GUIDE: DO YOU WANT TO SHARE THE STORY BEHIND YOUR ITEM?
YES:
YOUR PALM IS UP,
FINGERS TOGETHER
NO:
YOUR PALM IS SIDEWAYS,
FINGERS SPREAD
HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN
THE EXCHANGE:
Any object can be exchanged: whether
folkenmade, found, or natural, the story is key.
ONE: Introduce yourself to everyone:
your name, where you are traveling from,
or towards. One person offers to begin. You
may refuse an Exchange if you are just passing
through. You may offer songs, poems, or words
of power as a substitute for a physical gift.
TWO: Lay out your personal tenugui and
place your items. If you do not have a tenugui,
you may use this brouchure. You should be
able to reach everyone else’s tenugui; if you
cannot, break into smaller groups.
THREE: The person who accepted the
offer is the first to choose. Once an item
is touched, it is chosen. Don’t take too long to
choose!
FOUR: Once an item has been touched,
the Exchanger will extend a hand to signify
if there is a story. See left, for meanings.
REPEAT UNTIL EVERYONE HAS
CHOSEN ONE ITEM.