During this research numerous projects were developed that draw from, and link back into, existing hacking and modding communities. These projects are given a public presence through this blog site. The following list provides details of the projects and links to associated blog posts.
FIX
Appearing in the exhibition There’s a Hole in the Bucket, curated by Spiros Panigirakis, CLUBSproject Inc., Fitzroy.
FIX consisted of a repair counter installed at CLUBSproject Inc. manned by a team of enthusiastic volunteers (Carly Fischer, Jophes Fleming, Starlie Giekie, Susan Jacobs, Marcus Keating and myself). The FIX team accepted objects for repair from exhibition visitors. Objects ‘fixed’ included an IKEA foot stool, a MatchBox car, and a desk lamp.
Home-made wireless antennas
Appearing in the exhibition mMa, curated by Bianca Hester, CLUBSproject Inc., Fitzroy.
Developed to provide internet access to artist run space CLUBSproject Inc. the wireless internet connection piggybacked of the nearby Gertrude Contemporary Art Space network. A long range wireless link was established through the use of a ‘cantenna’, a directional antenna constructed from a pineapple juice can, and a parabolic reflector, constructed from cardboard and aluminium foil.
B&O MP3 Mod
Winner of The 2006 Great Mac Mod Challenge.
The B&O MP3 Mod engages with the Macintosh case modding community. It consists of a 1998 Apple PowerBook computer housed inside a modified Bang & Olufsen case. The unit operates as an MP3 jukebox, the original B&O control interface is re-tasked to function as track selector. Software developed for the unit has been released under an open source license.
Cactus door handle
Installed in my apartment. Constructed from the arm off a wooden cactus decoration found in hard rubbish.
Pokia mobile telephone handset
Originally designed by Nik Roope, the pokia style mobile telephone handset is a popular modding project. My version of the device takes an old Telecom phone and adapts it for use with a Nokia mobile.
Cylindric Ultrasonic Bat Detector
Appearing in the exhibition slave, curated by Christopher LG Hill, Kain Picken, Rob McKenzie and Nick Selenitsch, VCA Galleries, Melbourne.
The Cylindric Ultrasonic Bat Detector draws on the resources of bat interest groups and is based on DIY bat detector plans down loaded from the internet. The detector circuit is housed inside a re-tasked Braun cigarette lighter designed by Dieter Rams.
iPodLinux
Installing the iPodLinux software onto an iPod and conducting tests to determine the effectiveness of the unit as a recording device.
iPod Social Outreach Program
Appearing in the exhibition Bartertown, curated by Nadine Christensen, Uplands Gallery, Melbourne.
The iPod Social Outreach Program (iSOP) operated as a free repair centre for iPods. Repairs were carried out by myself, an untrained amateur and were informed by user generated information obtained from various internet sources. Based in a commercial Melbourne gallery, iSOP extended into the broader community through promotional posters, classified advertisements, on-line forums and articles in the local paper. Knowledge generated through the repair process was disseminated back into the online community through a dedicated project blog.
A number of DIY iPod accessories were developed for the project and exhibited along with instructions for their construction.
associated blog post… and web site…
iPod Mash
Appearing at Sustaining Practices: Collective Commons Day, CLUBSproject inc. Meat Market Arts House, North Melbourne.
iPod Mash involves a clash of eras, combining a 4th generation iPod, 3.5” hard drive, mixing circuitry and the case of an early ‘80s AKAI tape player, the unit operates as an audio mixing deck. The iPod Mash was awarded third prize in The 2007 Great Mac Mod Challenge.