Nothing much has changed since the last update, but we're ironing out presentation issues.
Instead of a box, we decided it'd be easier to attach a flat shelf to a wall, and attach the circuit board underneath so that it hangs down and users can place their arm underneath the sensor. The sensor reads the skin tone and returns an onscreen result of some sort (not exactly sure what yet...) corresponding to a certain race. They will subsequently be stamped with said race. As for what happens on screen we were considering perhaps a solid skin tone display, or perhaps just a simple text or automated voice message that states "You are _______." Still working stuff out for now.
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this is a re-post from your older post...i thought that was the one i was to comment on.
ReplyDeletelooks like you got the tech working pretty well, but i am concerned about your concept. I feel that the piece will read as a commentary on how people are categorized based on skin color...which i feel is a little two simple and obvious. Why is a machine doing this? what does having a machine tell you your skin color/race mean to the viewer? I feel that there are more interesting ideas in this piece, but are you expressing them in the best possible way? Ultimately I worry that this piece will just tell me that I am different from some one else because of the color of our skin...I dont think that in itself is all that compelling.
This is a re-post as well:
ReplyDeleteI think it's pretty cool that you're able make this work from just the basic sensors. How sensitive will it be when it's completed? Will it be able to detect variations within people of the same "race" or will it produce broad results and only assign a small number of possibilities?
The shelf idea is great! Much more welcoming than a box (personally, I don't think I'd trust a random box for me to put my hand in - too much vulnerability if I don't know what's going to happen). Thinking about that, though, maybe you could have some sort of pamphlet that tells the viewer what this organization is trying to do with this census. It could have fake phone numbers or email addresses where, like Katerie said, people could protest or try to get their classification "changed."
ReplyDeleteObviously the circuit board is going to be hanging upside down, but is it going to be completely open? How are you going to cover it up? The lights and sensors need to be there - are you going to have them flush against the bottom of the shelf or protruding? And how far away from the sensors does your hand have to be in order to get an accurate reading? And is it constantly reading the colors below or do you have to press a button/do something to trigger it on and then put your hand underneath? Just things I'd like to know, but I'm really excited for your piece!
I think the concept is interesting, showing that our preconceptions of skin color determining race are being imposed upon the electronics being made. I agree with Don though that just telling your your race based on color is not all that compelling, if you were to have some more extreme response to each race, push some more stereotyping from the piece maybe. I do like your solution to the color sensing a lot, along with your decision to make a wall-mount shield, instead of a large archaic looking box.
ReplyDeleteI think I accidentally posted on your last post, but in general I was saying your interface will really be the key to backing up your concept. This is really interesting and can go quite far, but I think you need to push this idea more. Like the idea in itself is very interesting, but it seems like conceptually you haven't developed it and you're letting your audience develop the concept.
ReplyDeleteHow do you guys feel personally about racism or how race is categorized- especially when the government is mixed in? I already know my opinion on the matter, so I feel like this piece should represent yours. If it doesn't, why would I want to participate except for a thrill?
I think this would come off really successfully as a performance piece, so if you weren't going to do that I would highly suggest reconsidering it. Performance seems like a crucial element to this project and would give a much stronger narrative and help us, as the audience, gather a clearer perspective.
I think this is going to be very successful. Using the shelf instead of a box allows for a more correct reading because there will be more light.
ReplyDeleteUsing a stamp is very clever. It reminds me of a stamp that they would place on the actual document stating their race.
I think this is impressive and the stamp is a good choice, but I'm with Don in wondering why am i gonna put my hand in this machine?
ReplyDeleteIs the supposed to feel governmental? Is it for my own edification?
Something has to make us feel like we've had something wrong happen to us, not just that a machine made a mistake.