public privacy
an examination of the topic "ecologies", a discussion about our environment and the ways we engage with powers and systems that surround us, by the term of "hacking". by using playful cleverness to achieve a goal, hacking can manipulate or alienate a system, an object, etc. for specific purposes. the joint discussion in an interdisciplinary team through different approaches and abilities enabled a common outcome of a performance, an intervention or a public space installation.
does public privacy exist?
we are always sticking to our smartphones, checking and writing mails, looking at photos, making phone calls and making bank transfers. but we do not only do this at home but also on the road, in public space. are we aware that everyone has an insight into our personal data, has privacy already become part of the public sphere?
we spied on peoples phones, took pictures of their screens and started conversations next to them and with them, based on the content which was displayed on their screens.
free bachelor episode
matching naildesign advertising
a general indifference of passers-by could be seen, but how would they react if their messages were shown in public, would they still don't care or can we create an awareness of this topic? we tried to hack the way people use their smartphones and apps like whatsapp in public spaces. in order to achieve that we built a backpack for an ipad, which was connected to our personal phones so that everyone could see live what or with whom we were chatting. with this intervention we tried to visualize the topic and to investigate the reaction of passers-by, who were invited to share the conversation and to write about it, also as an immediate feedback.
backpack in progress
the output next to the intervention
first prototype
at the limmatplatz in zurich, where we spent most of our time, we had our final presentation. after a short intervention the group could watch our youtube video on their screens and we could watch them.
public privacy was part of the power dinner 19 of digitalswitzerland
and has made it into the swiss media world
our main goal was to create awareness and no raiting on the topic of privacy and the question of how we do value our privacy. We were able to observe different situations. it was observed, photographed, discussed and actively participated secretly and openly. So we think we have definitely created a starting point for a conversation and started to bring people to think about the topic of public privacy.
but how will it develop in the future? will we all live in our own bubble, encapsulated by everyone else,
or in different classes where a common privacy is shared?
will privacy be the new luxury, or is it already one?
collaboration with michelle schmid and rafael gil cordeiro
interdisciplinary modul, zhdk
dec 18
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