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Nuisance Machines, 2009
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The nuisance machines are a series of speculative devices, aimed at forming interaction through the creation of surreptitious social networks. The machines trigger the formation of incidental groups, groups formed through the action or reaction of people to an unexpected instance or experience, characterized by the fact that its members may not have originally set out to become a part of the group, rather that they ‘fell’ into it, seemingly through proximity or chance. The machines explore three methods of group formation; the speculative, through the use of the Stainer, the physical; through the Staller, and non-physical; through the Whisperer
The Stainer
Disguised as a light fitting, the Stainer ia a surreptitious marking tool. The machine inhabits the ceilings of transitory space, such as corridors in a larger office environment, here the Stainer is fed data regarding company profits, at every significant loss the machine becomes active, marking those who pass below.
This marking may initially go unoticed, though upon realisation people who have been marked may be grouped by a shared speculation, or confusion as to what is going on around them, and why they may have been 'chosen' or picked out. Passers by become grouped, part of an exclusive shared experience with other 'victims', or can be viewed as a diruptive communication element within the office - a scapegoat or indicator of poor performance.
The Staller
The Staller operates at floor level, integrated into the carpets of it's situation. The machine occupies narrow transitory spaces such as corridors, doorways or stairs. The machine functions in two parts, in the given context one side is monitoring the market value of the host company, whilst the other, that of rival companies. When the sides are negativly imbalanced the machine is activated.
The Staller is triggered when two people pass by either side concurrently, causing the staller to snap out and clap the protgonist around the heels. By physically engaging with multiple people the machine leads to unexpected encounters as protagonists are unwittingly pushed toward, and perhaps into one another.
The Whisperer
The whisperer lives under tables listening for conversation around it, when conversation stops the machine begins to uietly feed data into its environment. Disguised as an auxillary table leg so as not to draw attention to itself, the machine is constantly streaming data from online messageboards. This informal data is then whispered by the machine during periods of silence in it's situation.
When first encountered the Whisperer may become a source of shared confusion, or even operate sub-consciously as a generator of gossip as personal data is unwittingly shared. Over time the relationship with the machine may develop, and as people start to realise it's presence their attitudes towards the machines may in turn shift, is the machine treated as an irritation?, or perhaps revered as a link to the world outside?
Photographs ; Hitomi Kai Yoda www.hitomiyoda.com