January 31, 2007
Private Moments in a Surveillance State
Thesis Statement
I intend to create public structures and/or personal portable structures out of reflective or distorting materials which will allow a momentary escape from the ominous surveillance camera's eye.
Personal Statement
In this day and age and in a metropolis like Manhattan it seems near impossible to be anywhere without the likelihood of a surveillance camera detecting you. The use of surveillance was dramatically increased after the terrorists attack on Sept. 11th, 2001. I see both beneficial and harmful effects of this increase. Of course it aides in preventing crime and identifying and prosecuting criminals. On the other hand it has been used to harass and racially profile select communities. It also invades the personal privacy of the common person.
I am torn between wanting to escape technology and needing to use it. In the last five years I've had to live in bad neighborhoods and my family has delt with harassment by neighbors including damage to my vehicle and false claims. We've had to rely on cameras to catch those involved as well as to show that we are innocent of their accusations. The camera is oppressive and liberating at the same time.
So I don't feel that the use of cameras is bad or that surveillance is not necessary in some respects. However I feel that surveilance when it renders the public powerless, can cause anxiety, paranoia, and fear. I hope to empower the public by providing ways of claiming private moment.
Need to update:
Research
Audience
User Scenario
Work Description
Conclusion
References
Additional Documents
Posted by ges3 at 09:24 PM
February 06, 2007
Fashion of Hiding
Clothing and Accessories to Hide or Keep Something Private
Hijab – hide female sexuality; hide from the male gaze
Hat
Glasses (sun) – hide identity, hide “the soul”
Hoodie – hide identity, blend in, sense of comfort
Fan – hide mouth/nose, modesty, hide too much emotion
High Collar
Umbrella
Posted by ges3 at 03:40 PM
February 14, 2007
Research...getting started.
I've reached out to Raffi Krikorian, Marc Libarle, Despina Papadopoulos, Mushon Zer-Aviv, and Marisa Olson for some research direction and advise.
From Raffi:
Met with him this week. Thought it was an interesting challenge to create no-tech items to address this issues. Most projects coming out of his class are tech heavy. Will get back to me with some of the readings from his syllabus. Check out the speaker for his class on 2/26/07 - Limor Fried.
Also check out the work of Kelly Dobson.
From Despina:
Bringing me some materials to look at on Thursday.
Read up on Steve Mann and idea of "sousveillance" and "equiveillance"
"I find your approach much more interesting, viable and humane in many ways (as opposed to cyborgian) but you should nevertheless be familiar with his work."
Readings: Paul Virilio
Related work: A. Dunne + F. Raby
From Muson:
Check-out/read: Foucault's Panopticism
Search www.we-make-money-not-art.com for surveillance related artworks.
Carnivore - a data surveillance software; some artists have been using in ther projects
Lots of references at CTRL Space - http://ctrlspace.zkm.de/e/
I should try to sit in on Marisa's class this Friday for relevant speaker.
From Marc:
Will meet with me in person on Friday.
From Marisa:
(Trying to get copies of video taken of her class speakers and a reading list.)
Posted by ges3 at 04:43 PM
February 21, 2007
Problems!!! & Questions???
Reflective (one-way) window tinting film is only supposed to be applied to glass or hard surface. They say it won't work on vinyl. I will try it anyways. Hopefully I can at least create a temporary piece for the thesis presentation.
If I can't use this material at all, how successful can this project be with the use of metalic looking fabric? Too much of a stretch conceptually?
Given that the materials I want to use are shiny and reflective the wearer who is "hiding" from surveillance will ironically stand out more? Is this too problematic?
Comments and suggestions please...
Posted by ges3 at 09:58 PM
March 05, 2007
Concealment + Protection + Souveillance
Using small pieces of mirrored plastic sewn together to make a fabric I imaging will resemble armor.
The material I'm trying to use for the design of these "wearables" will allow for concealment and protection of identity and serve as a conceptual souveillance device.
Just email its.rp@nyu.edu regarding the laser cutter. I need to make sure it is okay to cut plexi that I have tinted.
Posted by ges3 at 03:26 PM
March 07, 2007
THESIS NAME CHANGE
to be seen yet not seen
Posted by ges3 at 10:09 PM
March 09, 2007
Mid-Term (3/8/07)
I created a fan prototype out of window tinting material and plexiglass for the midterm.
I had some difficulty with the material. I was trying to attach the tint in the traditional manner but it would not stick. I ended up having to use some clear tape. I definitely plan to make a more refined fan as one of the final pieces.
Posted by ges3 at 09:53 PM
March 22, 2007
Window Film Textiles
Last week I tried creating my own "fabrics" out of the window film. I tried sticking a piece of it through the paper shredder and then weaving those shredds. The shredder didn't like the film. It seems to pull in a diagonal and leave a textured edge which was cool.
Posted by ges3 at 12:33 AM
Production Schedule
To purchase: Reflective tape, Clear Duct Tape, thin sheet of plexi glass, more reflective film, small metal rings like used in hand made jewelry. Try to get sample of conductive tool and conductive threads.
Week of:
March 26 Get some plexi and templates over to the laser cutting department.
Complete umbrella.
April 2 Work on patterns for hat, hoodie, collar use fabric and clear vinyl.
April 9 Cut and weave designs out of reflective film and work into patterns. Sew.
April 16 Sew. Finish garment attachments. Piece together pieces from the laser cutter if successful including making a nicer looking fan.
April 23 Finish items. Do fashion inspired photo or video shoot.
April 30 Organize site and prepare presentation.
Posted by ges3 at 12:58 AM
March 29, 2007
Panoptic Parasol
I'm taking two clear golf umbrellas and combining them to create a "Panoptic Parasol".
First I took the clear vinyl off of one of the umbrellas and put to the side. Next I created a pattern of one of the umrella sections. I've cut several sections out of the window tint materail. I ran out and am awaiting shipment of a roll.
Posted by ges3 at 07:48 PM
July 18, 2007
trying to get motivated...
I've been in quite a rut. Time is flying by like usual and I'm no where closer to finishing this thesis!
I'm taking some days off work to try to focus on it. My personal life coupled with a serious lack of motivation and maybe some depression is getting in the way of progress.
Yesterday I finally emailed Shelly at the laser cuting lab. I have a thin piece of plexi that I tinted with reflective film. I'm hoping to have them cut a bunch of circular "sequins". They are short staffed do to it being summer so I don't know if this will get done in time.
Today I just wasted some time trying to get the Juki sewing machine to working. Still no luck. I will have to bring in my own sewing machine tomorrow.
I will try to finish the sewing part this week. I need to try to recruit a few people to wear these design and schedule either a video and/or photo shoot to take place next week.
Posted by ges3 at 05:57 PM
July 20, 2007
For Thesis Presentation
May 2007
I presented my thesis progress since I was not fully finished. I ment to upload these photos to the blog of the pieces I completed to that point.
Posted by ges3 at 09:36 PM
Bonnet
Yesterday I finished this bonnet type hat that shields your face.
Posted by ges3 at 09:47 PM
See Through Sequins
Today I met with Keith at the Advanced Media Lab and he laser cut my tinted plexi into sequins. Laser cutting rocks! I'm going to put these together to create a cap with veil.
Posted by ges3 at 09:53 PM
Weaved Hat
I'm cutting the film into strips that I'm weaving onto this hat form.
Posted by ges3 at 09:57 PM
July 27, 2007
Finished hat today..
(photo taken by my daughter, Taima, age 5)
Posted by ges3 at 10:34 PM