Artphones

 by  Bobby Genalo

In the age of customization, I often wondered why I couldn’t have more of a say in what my cell phone looked or felt like. Intrigued, I walked around the city with a piece of wood held to my ear, pretending to hold a conversation as passersby looked on in bewilderment.<br /> <br /> This playful, abstract way of viewing the world is one that I am looking to foster both in myself and in others. During the semester I worked with a third-grade class in Brooklyn to develop custom walkie-talkies and, with adults, discussed the hidden benefits of designing one’s own screen-less, internet-less cell phone (e-waste consciousness, personalization, et al).<br /> <br /> My hope is that Artphones will encourage people to blur the line between producer and consumer, empowering them to ask more questions and lead more creative, responsible lives.