mobile patters

Mobile Patters - developed at the 2007 ANAT ReSkin Laboratory, Canberra School of Art, Canberra

Materials: anodised aluminium, audio earbud, conductive paint, Arduino micro-controller, custom built RF detector, custom constructed jacket, 9V battery

Mobile Patters explores the imperceptible world of radio frequencies, mobile phones and “semi-private” worlds created by individuals in metropolitan spaces. When a mobile phone is answered in a crowded city environment, or an individual wears a portable audio player, a separation appears between the receiver/wearer and other crowd members, creating the illusion of a semi-private moment. With the appearance of a cage, this wearable represents the illusionary screen between this individual and society.

Detecting the presence of mobile phone activity, this signal is converted into randomised percussive clicks. As the intensity of mobile phone activity increases, so does the responding sound. This wearable provides a means of sonifying the environment we currently inhabit, and yet are often unaware of its presence.

As the wearer moves closer in proximity to radio frequencies, the audio responds by creating an increasing number of randomised clicks.



Other photos from the reskin lab can be found at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/reskin