"Truc-Troc... from the seat belt to the Picasso (?)"

AT CHATEAU-MALOU "Truc-Troc... from the seat belt to the Picasso (?)" An artist, Tomek Kawiak, born in Poland in 1943, who "considers the globe as his field of action", became, through travelling, an unconditional advocate of exchange as a form of "artistic approach". He named this approach "Troc-Art". Modestly, he forgot to point out that painters of past centuries were used to this kind of exercise, practised by both maker and buyer, which has the merit of usually escaping the taxman's investigations, since exchange is not sale. But specialist literature must be taken seriously by the gullible, by inventing material and psychological elements that have existed in all times. At Château Malou, without claiming to innovate, without any "technical" claims, the non-profit "La Galerie des prêts d'œuvres d'art" - which is doing rather well, often decorates the office walls of many private administrations and currently holds a good thousand works available for a rent of 100 F a month (three months maximum, plus a 250 F registration fee) - is launching the "Truc-Troc" operation. Nearly two hundred young artists, most already known, some unknown, will throw banknotes - brand new or worn out from use - into the bin from 14 June to 30 August. To any acceptable offer... why not? A seat belt for a "new Picasso"... the exhibitors are ready to exchange their works. To mark the opening of Saturday 14 June in a pleasant way, an Artists' ball, which promises to be famous, will be held under the lanterns in the rotunda of the Fallon stadium (free entry). Spread the word. Juan Marti will be on form. Alain VIRAY.