Fatal Machine @ Styloid Process

Art exhibit at Portland's First Thursday:

Description: This work is a reflective examination of clinical depression, morbidity, and the act of violent suicide in a hyperconnected age. It is a reduction of the thoughtful suicide process -- a chain of desperate communications (cries for help), an ominous environment of facilitation, expressions of intent, and ultimately, a violent death.

It is a one-time electromechanical performance piece that will be performed during the gallery opening. The resulting (static) carnage will be displayed for the duration of the group show.

Technical Description: A prepared Pentium laptop runs a custom Python program that allows it to send emotional, self-deprecating updates to the Twitter social network (@fatalmachine). When the suicidal machine is no longer capable of managing its own existence, it sends a signal to the circuit on its serial port, which triggers the release of a 17lb San Angelo bar suspended from the ceiling above it, facilitating its own demise.

Artist Bio: Jason Plumb is a technology enthusiast, hacker, programmer, and artist working in Portland, OR. He is attracted to hardware hacking, repurposing technology, computer interfaces, subversive software, circuit bending, sound art, and a uncomfortable aesthetics.

Website: http://noisybox.net

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• art
• depression
• morbidity
• suicide
• first thursday
• portland
• dorkbot