Chat Box; September 2007; is a communication booth situated in the entrance to the gallery space, inside which is: a flat screen monitor; speakers; a microphone; a keyboard and a mouse, networked online using the communication method of Skype. A social network of friends, artists and strangers are invited to interact online by calling or texting the Chat Box using Skype. The audience are invited to participate in whichever way they feel most comfortable: they can make or answer a call; add to the group text-chat online; have a conversation with a stranger; invite friends to the network; write a message; place a request to rent the space for a future event; or simply experience the space.

Each invitation is individually printed on a business card and presented inside the booth, available to be taken away; appropriating the type of distribution of information I have found in public phone boxes, during interventions, advertising taxis numbers and dating lines.

A series of social events will be performed using Chat Box: an online drinks party will coincide with the private view where all participants will be invited to bring a drink of their choice to celebrate the opening of the exhibition; and a more private event is scheduled for an online date between two participants. The invitations for these two events will differ dramatically, from a public announcement on Skype, to a personal invitation to two friends. All other events will be in response to the invitation to rent the Chat Box for any online social meetings.

Chat Box opening times and organised events:

Thursday 6th September: Online 6.30pm-9pm: A drinks event will coincide with the gallery private view, you are invited to bring a drink of your choice, get online and contact chat_box using skype, to celebrate the opening of the exhibition.

Friday 7th - Saturday 8th: Online 10am-5pm. Sunday 9th - Monday 10th: Offline. Tuesday 11th - Thursday 13th: Online 10am-5pm.

To interact online, please download Skype; www.skype.com/download/ and search for chat_box