P2P highlights the ubiquity of the most basic symbols of the electric age: the household switch and bulb. Significantly situated in a public forum, P2P puts the marquee, a now-ubiquitous and iconic tool of corporate communication, into the hands of the general public. By engaging in the everyday unconscious activity of flipping a light switch, citizens are able to communicate directly, without the oversight of a centralized authority.
125 switches, 125 corresponding bulbs. The public are in control and can flip a switch and instantly see the response, creating any patterns they choose in the hanging marquee. Some enjoy seeing their names in lights, others post expressions of emotion or affiliation. Solo interaction blends with group dynamics as messages are created and changed. Ultimately, P2P encourages dialogue about the use of technology as a communication medium and appropriate limits on public speech.
P2P was created by Matt Gorbet, Rob Gorbet and Susan Gorbet.
August 27th, 2006
Cell Phone Disco is a recent project by the guys at informationlab. They have created a space to experience the invisible body of the mobile phone. Flashing cells basically consist of one or more LEDs, battery and a sensor that detects electromagnetic ( EM ) radiation transmitted by an active mobile phone. When the sensor detects EM waves it sets off the LEDs to flash for a couple of seconds. In general the flashing cells are enclosed in a plastic casing on a strap and sold as a fashion accessory for a mobile phone.
The Cell Phone Disco installation has two parts:
MOBILE AURA Flashing cells with sensors of higher sensitivity are used to detect electromagnetic radiation of active mobile phone in a range of approximately a meter. This way a sort of aura appears around the phone, revealing a part of it's invisible body. While the user moves around talking on his cell phone, this aura follows the conversation as a light shadow through the space.
MOBILE DRAWING Much less sensitive cells are used to create a canvas for an inkless marker. The LEDs get activated only by an extreme proximity of the electromagnetic source. Moving the phone close to the cells therefore leaves a trace of light, an electromagnetic drawing.
via wmmna
August 27th, 2006