Join this Fellow-led discussion by Vicki Thomas FRSA on the significance of gifts in society, inspired by the legacy of Henry Cole and the seminal work of Marcel Mauss.
In July, we celebrated the birthday of Henry Cole, the visionary behind the first published Christmas card, as well as starting a fancy goods company -Felix Summerly Manufactures. His passion for tasteful and meaningful products was intertwined with his broader work as a civil servant and advocate for the arts. But did he see his gift related ventures as supporting these larger goals?
100 years ago, Marcel Mauss published The Gift, an essay that explored gift exchange in archaic societies. Mauss viewed these exchanges as a powerful social process that fosters trade and cohesion. Yet, this thesis has been both supported and contested over the years. Some argue that gift-giving leads to unnecessary, wasteful, and poorly designed products, while others, believe it is crucial for nurturing creativity and knowledge exchange.
Join us on The Steps to be part of the conversation and explore the principles of gift exchange, particularly its relevance and impact today.
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