Detritus I + II
Finding Life in Inanimate Objects
"Detritus (I + II)" is a statement on the life embedded within the objects we buy, use and ultimately discard. The two objects, the first in a series, are an empty 5- pound Domino's sugar bag and a fake Mark Rothko painting that has been ripped from its frame. "Detritus (I + II)" objects (anthromorphized through the mechanisms controlling their movement) do not believe their life has been exhausted. As such they are in their most "calm" state when people are not near. A level of heightened awareness, and hence a level a of heightened "breathing" results as people enter into their area.
For the Domino's sugar bag, a slow breath becomes an agitated one once opened. For the painting, a light breathing, barely noticable from afar becomes more labored as people come closer, ultimately resulting in a hyperventalive breath.
The objects reference the idea of "ubiquitous computing", which promises to animate household items. In this case, items which do not appear to be computerized, particularly not for any practical purpose. "Detritus (I + II)" also references the idea of ghosts or poltergeists moving or inhabiting objects, and the use of robotics to imitate life.
With the increased awareness of IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) in this country, objects with hidden mechanisms are usually used for sinister purposes. This category includes not only bombs, but "bugs"- hidden devices used for spying which record surreptitiously. In this case, ubiquitous computing examines the idea of technological paranoia. We hope to append our own ideas to ubiquitous computing reaching outside its helpful or nefarious aims into something more amorphous and ask the question: "Do inanimate objects have a life?"
See the newest Detritus at http://detritus-series.com
Proposed future "Detritus" includes:
- book
- old hat
- a locker
- clothes
- umbrellas
