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Elvis has finally left the building. This time though there will be no shiny white stretch limo, but a battered old Hackney cab driven by artist Stephen Skrynka. This bizarre sight was seen in and around Glasgow as part of the bartering system set up by Skrynka as a Year of the Artist project. Elvis – actually King impersonator John Smythe – didn't pay for his ride but travelled free in return for his impersonation.
In fact, Skrynka accepts just about anything except money for his courier service across Glasgow. On his calling card he lists telling a story, singing a song, sharing a secret, or just getting up on your soapbox and letting off steam as forms of acceptable 'payment'. Whilst this would seem like an open invitation to every meathead and drunkard to legitimately do what they inflict upon weekend cab drivers, it has attracted more creative and inspirational ways of paying.
As well as Elvis, Skrynka has received a Jimmy Stewart impersonator singing Oasis' Wonderwall; a shirt made for him in the cab; advice on vermin control, and perhaps most remarkably, Mr Singh from Balbir's restaurant cooked him a chicken Balti right there in the back of the cab. All of the offerings give a peculiar insight into what monetary and actual mileage worth we give to things.
All bookings so far have been made privately, although once Skrynka passes 'The Knowledge' – the official cabbie's test that he has "embarrassingly" failed twice – he will officially take to the streets to give the customers the choice between bartering and payment. The Bartered Ride offers a reversal of roles for both artist/cabbie and viewer/customer in a very public space. To give you must receive, and vice versa.
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GORDON DALTON
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