Presentation

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1MDfwKah33lrsWy2jjGbl6FF2HDEUETMWJ15I2LDawvM/edit?usp=sharing

Essay

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MTypisUgiyweTvuWp_q2biA28_OoFgw1mniiSmvfOPg/edit?usp=sharing

Videos from research

Surveillance Camera Players

Faceless

Shooting Back

Camover

Final Project Proposal

My final project will be continuation of the idea of surveillance. This piece will turn the viewer into the surveillant. Below is a visual of the piece. 

The idea is to create a space where the viewers are being watched from 4 sides, these 4 camera angles would be projected onto a wall that would randomly select a camera to show. The piece would have an element of sound that would react to the different camera angles shown. 

My paper will challenge the ideas of surveillance in contemporary society. This will include a brief histories of the technologies of surveillance, philosophical analysis of privacy, surveillance, control and power. 

Photos from 1st piece

My first work for the semester was the culmination of the GPS and video surveillance i did on myself.  Below are photos of the build process. The tools used where a laser cutter, paint, soldering iron, a MakeyMakey, acrylic paneling, processing code and something to show it on. Here is the soundtrack for the piece as well: https://soundcloud.com/falsefuture/ambient-work

Project update

1. gps data gathering complete
2. videos are complete
3. coding for display is complete
https://github.com/greggawatt/gpsvideo

todo still
1. laser engrave display board with gps tracks, and mount buttons to board
2. connect computer, monitor and buttons all to the display board and get it running
3. write soundtrack for the piece in reason

hurray!

Project Progress

- I obtained a spy pen to record video (and audio). The quality isn't the best but it will work for my requirements

- I attempted to find a GPS device that would do passive recording, but all of the devices are out of my price range so for this, i will be using my cell phone

- I will start data gathering this week

- For displaying the information, I came up with the idea of an interactive physical map. The map would consist of a laser engraving of my gps path over a period, and with physical buttons that would map to a projection screen or audio interface and would play when pressed. If you want more information about this, i can do a more extensive write-up

- I have also been doing research into theories around surveillance and state power that are influencing this project, a blog regarding those thoughts is forthcoming.

WOO HOO!

Project Proposal 1

- why it is of interest to you (context for the idea)

This idea is going to explore the tools of surveillance and the gathering of data. The three methods that i will focus on are audio, video and GPS tracking. I will also expand my ideas through research of not only other artists working with these tools, but also of philosophical concepts of surveillance.

- what you hope to accomplish and learn (objectives)

I hope to explore deeper the technologies of tracking and surveillance, i also hope to better understand how to process massive amounts of data and put it into a form that is pleasing.

- your aim for the project (goal: what you will end up with mid semester)

The first project will be a visual piece, a laser cut of GPS tracks over a 7 day period, a video feed from that same period and an audio element from the same period. I will choose a week, most likely the first week of march to record audio, video and GPS.  The first project will focus more on collecting data and presenting it. The 2nd project will be a performance piece based on the same concepts from the first project. 

Articles on Self Survelliance

http://flowingdata.com/category/self-surveillance/

http://www.surveillance-and-society.org/articles1(3)/self.pdf

http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/04/ai-wieweis-self-surveillance-is-shut-down/

Artists doing similar work in Surveillance

http://elahi.umd.edu/track/
http://www.ted.com/talks/hasan_elahi.html

http://www.christianmoeller.com/

http://camilleutterback.com/

Project Ideas

- Anti-Social Howtos
     a video series that would be a how to series on how to perform certain anti-social, destructive activities, such as "how to start a riot" or  "how to break a window" Would be done in a campy style like other how to videos around the internet

- Walking Soundtrack/soundwalk
     Selecting a set path and composing a soundtrack that would take into account surrounds and environment. Was considering tying the soundtrack to foucaultian biopower.

- Protest Robot
    The development of a robot that would be deployed in protest situations, would include such things as radio broadcasting, livestreaming, etc.

- Twitter Rupture Tracker
     Using twitter's api, i would track social uprisings and translate events into a piece that would react in a gallery setting,

- Meditation Room with alterative motives
Utilizing binaural sound, calming images and subliminal messaging, i would experiment with video that would give split second images to offer a sort of untrusting view of current society.

- Performance sound Art, soundtracking
I would select footage and write a soundtrack that would be expected to be performed, utilizing. Possibly combined with projections onto buildings of power.

- Self Surveillance
    Utilizing GPS and webcams, i would track myself over a certain period recording all of my movements and actions and offer this information free for anyone to see. Peeling away any semblance of privacy in our world. Could also include keystroke capturing and webtracking.

Other ideas that would influence other works or the works above:
Social Rupture and reactions to
What aesthetic choices inspire or detract from revolutionary situation.
Sound as a suggestive medium
Nihilist, Anarchist and Post Structuralist philosophies
Technology as a double edged sword, as both something that can be used against us and that can assist us when used correctly