Body Technology Interfaces at the PDC

Ski Mask for Eating a Sandwich

I’m at the Participatory Design Conference in Bloomington, Indiana for a few days, presenting my participatory art project, Body Technology Interfaces. I knitted a bunch of components (sleeves, rectangles, tubes, etc.) and people can come and make their own BTIs to take home. Here’s the description:

“Our interactions with personal electronic devices provoke a broad range of emotions from frustration to confusion to feverish obsession. Increasingly, these devices dominate our everyday work activities, our behavior in public space, and our personal communications. Becky will conduct interviews to help create custom-knitted coverings for participants’ personal electronic devices. The installation aims to bring critical awareness and consideration to the complex relationship between people and technological artifacts. Each BTI will reflect salient interaction behaviors between the participant and their chosen device, as well as provoke thought in observers.

You’re invited to participate in creating your own Body Technology Interface using the knitted components provided in the installation. After working with Becky on a design and sketch, a kit of parts will be assembled for the execution of your design. You may choose to sit and work on your creation at the table workspace, take your kit with you to assemble during other sessions, or leave it with Becky to assemble and pick it up later. Photos and thoughts will be documented on the project website.”

Stay tuned for pictures of new BTIs created at the conference.