CHRONICLES OF COLLECTION

2 décembre 2009 // Filed under Uncategorized

INITIAL IDEAS:
The idea for this project came up during our “Thinking Archives” course where we were exploring various ways of documentation and archiving, and it struck us how we all tend to focus on human stories to understand the socio-cultural milieu. As a challenge we decided to focus on objects instead and see if by tracing the story of an object – its origins, journey and multiple values – we can stumble upon some insights on the relationship between people and their things. Having chosen a decidedly material culture perspective, we did a bit of reading (The System of Objects by Jean Baudrillard; The Social Life of Things by Arjun Appadurai) to help us decide on the questions we were going to investigate, and thereby the methodologies that we could adopt.
We decided to take a top down approach and look at collectors and their objects, as the starting point for tracing the story of the object. It was an interesting place to begin, because when an object starts getting collected its value goes beyond the functional, and the monetary and begins to assume significance and symbolic value. By archiving the perspective of collectors and the very act of collection we hope to uncover the various layers of meaning an object can hold.
NACHI’S KNIFE COLLECTION:
Having selected this ambitious line of enquiry, we figured that it would be possible for us to explore the story of only one collection in the given time frame. This could then become the model or prototype for investigating other collections, which could also be adopted by others.
We decided to begin within the Srishti community and scout for collectors amongst the students and faculty. We zeroed in on Nachi (4th year, product design) who is a compulsive collector of a variety of objects. For him these objects at times are merely utilitarian, at times artistic inspiration and sometimes repositories of various stories and memories. In his room one may find an impressive array of matchboxes, different coconut shells, and a rather gruesome selection of bones and skulls. He collects musical instruments ranging from the guitar to flutes to various rare folk instruments. But what fascinated us was his extensive knife collection and it was this that we chose to archive.
To emphasize the various layers of meaning within the object we decided to document the collection using a four pronged approach.
1. At one level we were documenting just the pieces in the collection – with photographs of each piece and a short description of their origin, material construction and possible usage. This deals with the functional value of the pieces.
2. Using another link we explore the personal story of the Nachi, the collector, with a short video documentation of his personal objects and point of view, through an interview.
3. Another link leads to metamap, which localizes the object (knives) spatially in Bangalore city. Using annotated photographs we are to map knife shops, repair shops antique stores etc, and map the different values and roles the knife adopts in different parts of the city.
4. A fourth link leads into a more collective history of knives – their material history, cultural significance, mechanisms – and focus on some knives which have attained legendary status.
This format, we believe, would enable a comprehensive understanding of the particular object in its social context and could be applied to other collections subsequently i.e. Matt’s matchbox collection, Lloyd’s ashtray collection, or Pratyush’s collection of turtle souvenirs.

 ::  Share or discuss  ::  2009-12-02  ::  rashmi

Microbial Music

1 décembre 2009 // Filed under Theory

This project is an attempt to capture images of living micro organisms from the water sold on the streets of this city, to view that information through a cartographic lens and finally convert the data into an audio-visual output for exhibition .  Due to the span of one week allotted for this project, my lens has been focused to the streets of my residence, Yelahanka, Bangalore. The intention however, is to use the concept behind the project  in the future to map food and water around Bangalore and  to inspect the things that we consume unhesitatingly everyday.

Through this, I intend to  learn to use software tools such as Metamap ,Pure Data and Processing and to construct my own hardware such as a 400x microscope using cheap and instantly available material around me.

Making your own Microscope:

Hacking a webcam to result in a microscope that ranges from (100 – 400)x

My Garage Lab Kit:

Some collected samples of water from street vendors and small restaurants:

Investigating for microbes:

Viewing the image on a computer screen:

Images of some microbes found:

Stills from the compiled audio-visual output:

1 comment  ::  Share or discuss  ::  2009-12-01  ::  neha bhat

Bergson’s creative intuition

30 novembre 2009 // Filed under Theory

In the book Creative Evolution (L’Evolution créatrice, 1907) the french philosopher Henri Bergson develops concepts of time which significantly influenced modernist writers and thinkers such as Marcel Proust. For example, Bergson’s term “duration” refers to a more individual, subjective experience of time, as opposed to mathematical, objectively measurable “clock time.” In Creative Evolution, Bergson suggests that the experience of time as “duration” can best be understood through creative intuition, not through intellect.

He also writes :

“What is visible and tangible in things represents our possible action upon them.”

In this sense then, each device that enriches our perception for possible action on the real is worthy of attention. Even if it means the use of subjective methods that may not be considered ‘evidence’. However we must admit that the subjective investigation, when used systematically and in parallel with the results of technical measures could lead to new possibilities of knowledge that could also enable the deepening of scientific theory.

 ::  Share or discuss  ::  2009-11-30  ::  ewen

“Signal to Noise”

30 novembre 2009 // Filed under Uncategorized

Rationale
My proposed project started as a result of my frustration that I could not get a clear signal from my service provider, DOCOMO, in Yelahanka, but when I went to the city, the signal would be much more clear.  It has been about 3 months since I’ve been using the SIM, and although DOCOMO has taken measures to “alert you” when  you’ve missed a call via text message, signal quality in the area doesn’t seem to have improved.

In contrast, I have searched internet forums for cases where building residents have tried to have mobile antennas removed from their building and found some cases in Bombay on India’s “Right to Information” forum (rtiindia.org).  One example:

“I want to have copy of mumbai municipal rule which states, “the permission of every single top floor resident is required before cell towers are installed on the terrace”. I am asking this because I am staying on top floor of a building, where a erection of a mobile tower is under consideration; and I have come across enough scientific material stating hazards of mobile towers.
Pl help, its urgent.”

Usually, the process seems to be to go through  the court system, and the laws concerning mobile towers and the regulation of the telecommunications industry varies from state-to-state. There is a regulatory body, called the “Telecommunications Regulatory Authority India” (TRAI), which is a body whose mandate is to:

“ensure that the interests of consumers are protected and at the same time to nurture conditions for growth of telecommunications, broadcasting and cable services in a manner and at a pace which will enable India to play a leading role in the emerging global information society.”

There are several NGOs around the country that fall under the TRAI, who are responsible for regulating consumer issues related to the telecom industry in their specific areas.  The “Consumer Rights Education & Awareness Trust (CREAT)”, in Bangalore, lists as it’s main roles:

- consumer complaints
- representation of consumers in decision-making bodies
- filing complaints in comsumer forums

They also undertook a USAID-funded project in 2003 called the ‘Public Understanding and Participation’(PUP) project, which I have to find out more about, since I don’t have an internet connection at my house for fear of dying of cancer.

Process

My project is about comparing physical infrustructures to information infrastructures with regards to the telecommunications industry in Bangalore.  I will be using my mobile phone to interview institutions responsible for regulating phone antennas from two points-of-view:

The first will be from the perspective of a mobile phone consumer who wants information about whether new mobile antennas will be placed in her area, so that her signal will improve.  She will try to gain information about their company’s strategic plan, and what factors influence their decisions to install an antenna in on particular place over another. (DOCOMO)

The second will be from the perspective of an individual who is trying to have mobile antennas removed from her building due to health concerns.  I would like to get information as to whether the TRAI addresses the health concerns of consumers, and whether that is something they are even concerned about making consumers aware of.  I would also like to know what potential avenues that a citizen can go through to get more information about the antennas surrounding thir domestic spaces. (CREAT and others?)

During the phone interviews, I will be practicing “urban-drifting” and marking my tracks to show how my geographical location relates to the physical infrastructures surrouding me, and consequently, the signal quality.  I intend to use PureData in order to manipulate video footage of my interviews, depending on the sound quality/quality of the signal.  What I intend to capture is a type of video-based information map, that compares information systems surrounding the telecom industry to the physical infrastructures that reify it.

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links:

http://www.rtiindia.org/

http://www.creatindia.org/

http://www.trai.gov.in/

http://www.tatadocomo.com/

 ::  Share or discuss  ::  2009-11-30  ::  aliya

Street Art

30 novembre 2009 // Filed under Uncategorized

A project of how signage for shops was done at a different time. They’re hand painted, meticulously done with a decorative style. No neon signs are used and there’s usually quite a detailed description on most of the name plates of what the particular shop is selling.

Our project is about locating such ‘old world’ areas in Bangalore such as Russell Market and look at the signage of shops and trace and comment on how it has changed over the years, and try and find out why. We propose to do this by talking to shop keepers who own shops of different trades and of different economic backgrounds as well as try and film them while taking pictures. We would also like to annotate our observations about the graphic design used in these hand painted sign boards, with our knowledge on the subject.

 ::  Share or discuss  ::  2009-11-30  ::  saema

The electromagnetic city

28 novembre 2009 // Filed under Uncategorized

The Intangible Electromagnetic Radiations

We started the project with the initial idea of human intervention with nature. There are several factors which shows that natural environment is changing because of human intervention. Some of these things can be seen, heard or can be felt but there are other invisible factors which are far beyond the reach of human sensation. How can we see, hear and touch these intangible things which have now become the part of our surroundings? One of these intangible factor is electromagnetic radiations.

In this information age we use several electronic devices in our day to day life. Everyday we are exposed to electromagnetic radiations  produced by these devices like TV sets, computer screens, laptops, mp3’s, alarm clock’s, refrigerators, microwave ovens, hair dryers, internet, wifi and cell phones.These devices works because of electromagnetic signals from mobile communication and electricity towers which are major sources for emitting these electromagnetic radiations. Not only humans but also all other organisms in our ecosystem are exposed to these intangible radiations. Some research have been done on this subject which indicates that these radiations are harmful. How many of us are aware of the effects of these electromagnetic waves on ecosystem? Many researchers have stated the fact that these radiations have an impact on creatures like chickens, honeybees and house sparrows.
This project aims at mapping the major sources of these electromagnetic radiations and checking the intensity of electromagnetic waves in urban and semiurban areas in Bangalore.

Process:
Mobile communication and Electricity towers are the major sources for emitting these electromagnetic waves. We started the process mapping such sources in and around bangalore. To check what is the intensity of these electromagnetic radiations in natural areas we also went around different lakes in Bangalore which serves as habitat for birds, insects and aquatic creatures. The selected locations for this research are Yelahanka, Attur, Anantapur, Yelahanka Lake, Puttenahalli lake, Hebbal Lake, Ulsoor lake and Electronic City.

Role of Technology in the process:
One of our goal for this project was to find ways to sense these electromagnetic radiations. With the help of technology we can sense these electromagnetic radiations. We used a high frequency detecting device called Electrosmog detector which detects harmful microwave radiation that comes from the wireless communication and help us sense these electromagnetic waves in the form of sound.
We also used devices like Sound recorder, GPS navigator, Camcorder and Digital camera for our research documentation.

Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromagnetic_radiation_and_health
http://www.cellphone-health.com/cellphonedangers.htm
http://current.com/items/89282294_electronic-smog-is-disrupting-nature-on-a-massive-scale.htm
www.detect-protect.com/k/marketing/…/esd_mw1_instr_1005.pdf
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W06_psreSpk
www.radiationresearch.org/pdfs/20090913_mobile_crop_growth.pdf
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWPaCh_Xl_Q

Project by: Alisha Panjwani and Saumitra Chandratreya.
Srishti School of Art Design and Technology

Yelahanka mapping :

So as a part of project we went on a walk in Yelahanka and its adjoining villages to see the signal strength and following rough map shows how it is totally under the influence of electromagnetic waves.

Map with much more information to follow soon.

Some photographs from Yelahanka walk:

Yelahanka dairy cross

Yelahanka dairy cross from Yelahanka main road

1st main

1st main (this is opposite to previous tower)

1st main commercial buildings

Doddaballapur main road

Doddaballapur main road residences

Prestige montecarlo apartments

Anantpura village

Attur village

Nagarjuna circle

Nagarjuna circle

Final map of Yelahanka walk:

 ::  Share or discuss  ::  2009-11-28  ::  saumitra

Situationists definitions

27 novembre 2009 // Filed under Theory

constructed situation

A moment of life concretely and deliberately constructed by the collective organization of a unitary ambience and a game of events.

situationist

Relating to the theory or practical activity of constructing situations. One who engages in the construction of situations. A member of the Situationist International.

situationism

A meaningless term improperly derived from the above. There is no such thing as situationism, which would mean a doctrine for interpreting existing conditions. The notion of situationism is obviously devised by antisituationists.

psychogeography

The study of the specific effects of the geographical environment (whether consciously organized or not) on the emotions and behavior of individuals.

psychogeographical

Relating to psychogeography. That which manifests the geographical environment’s direct emotional effects.

psychogeographer

One who explores and reports on psychogeographical phenomena.

dérive

A mode of experimental behavior linked to the conditions of urban society: a technique of rapid passage through varied ambiences. The term also designates a specific uninterrupted period of dériving.

unitary urbanism

The theory of the combined use of arts and techniques as means contributing to the construction of a unified milieu in dynamic relation with experiments in behavior.

 ::  Share or discuss  ::  2009-11-27  ::  ewen