Locations

 there is some long-term construction on 3rd ave and 4th St, high pedestrian traffic as well (Left) . I am considering this location, but it's large-scale construction, and the GC may need to fill the dumpster all weekend. 

Though I prefer the smaller more intimate streets of the Lower east Side like the one on the upper right (13th st btwn 2nd and 1st) 

  

  

into the sensorium we go

I thought it unfair to categorize who was and wasn't considered disposable. The prescribed element of  these decisions was, at best a personal exercise in defining stereotypes, and at worst just plain foolish.

   In keeping with the spirit of understanding how dumpsters function on the psychology of our city, our interactions, our psyche, and the very deep depths of our perceptions, I've decided that activating a dumpster in an audiological way is a much more appropriate approach . 

 We see dumpsters all over do we hear them? 

 I 'd like to rig a dumpster within the 'NYU zone' of conflux festival with  low tonal LOUD amplified sound  deep within the metal structure. 

Sticking to the interactive Infrared Sensors on the exterior  (possibly from nintendo wii) then hooking them up to a self contained speaker /amp unit.  possibly a 12 volt car battery, or tons of small batteries. 

 

The desired result is as a pedestrian passes a low-pitched  rumble from within the dumpster will cause the debris to stir, a connection will be created between the pedestrian and debris/dumpster.  A instrument for  investigating the sensorium,  subtle and fierce. 

There is no exact message, and perhaps the passer-by will not even pick up on it right away.  is the dumpster the instrument or is the passerby the instrument for the dumpster?

The audio mix is the fun part. I've distorted a -2 octaves version of the iconic  Guns and Roses 'Paradise City' song.   there is a signature drumbeat and  and guitar in the first 8 measures which I am hoping will be reflexively recognizable to passers-by, Though  the song itself sounds as if you are hearing it under water. The Sensors determine where the song will stop, depending on how long the person is in range. this is all adjustable. 

disposable culture/disposable people

Disposable Culture

The initial concept for this project was based on a urban distinguished attitude or notion of common disposability*. I was  interested in exploring the translation of wastefulness/ disposability of objects, to biopolitical implications of perceptions of human disposability. e.g.  cheap laborers, in the armed forces, human trafficking (global scale), placement of the elderly in nursing homes, online dating, incarceration.

 I  began  to see the street dumpster as a very important cultural symbol of the perpetual changing city. renovation, foreclosure, exploitation of space, hidden guts of a building, the loud bangs we encounter as they are being loaded with rubble, gentrification (or ameloiration) , etc. How might we make a broader connection to  the translation of wastefulness/ disposability of objects, to perceptions of human disposability. 

  A site -specific public art piece. 

The idea was to outfit a small (10 yard) dumpster with 3-4 television monitors. Hidden beneath garbage and other building materials sill be  short video tracks that have 4-5 minute short narratives of various “disposable” people’s lives. The featured people illegal laborers, member of armed forces and elderly people confined to nursing homes . They will discuss their life and background in these alternating monitors. The monitors will be wired  (hidden) into 4 infrared sensors, aimed at the street/ sidewalk, so that as a person passes by, the monitors will activate.      The viewer will then become surprised to see and hear the experience of the disposable person.  The short documentaries’ audio will be set to only what the television monitors’ speakers can provide, so as to draw the viewer in closer.

*Everyday objects can easily be replaced, and there is a false assurance of endless supply.  Planned Obsolescence is a decision made on part of the manufacturer to produce a product that will become obsolete and/or nonfunctional with in a timeframe (i.e. Microsoft no longer gives support for windows 95). Possessions/ objects become devalued and mass consumerism proliferates.