SMSlingshot

SMSlingshot (2009)

Christian Zöllner, Patrick Tobias Fischer, Thilo Hoffmann, and Sebastian Piatza of VR/Urban (Germany, est. 2008)

High frequency radio, Arduino board, laser, batteries, plywood, and ash wood

14 3/16 x 8 5/16 x 1 5/8″ (36 x 21 x 4 cm)

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Ever since I posted about Mark Jenkins, I’ve really been digging street art / public art / interactive type pieces. At the same time, after shipping out two of my pieces from last semester to the LAL Scripts and Systems show, I’ve been revisiting some of the ideas surrounding the digitization of art and the incorporation of modern technology.

The project SMSlingshot incorporates all of these things and creates a sort of digital graffiti by creating a virtual splatter paint slingshot. The device takes the form of a traditional wooden slingshot (albeit beefed up in size) and hybridizes it with an embedded faux cell phone device. The user can type in text messages and then shoot them onto large surfaces (such as the walls of buildings), where the text shows up in a splash of color. The text is also tweeted at the same time.

As stated on moma.org, “The SMSlingshot marries the traditional weapon with digital technology, splattering information onto facades and other surfaces that then serve as public screens… The device fuses a prehistoric tool, vibrant urban art, and innovative technology into a product that encourages interaction, information, and empowerment in the city.”

Though the digital splatter paint is not fully realistic and definitely still pixelated – I’m not sure if this is on purpose or not – the concept of this project is a unique fusion of several other arenas of art, while simultaneously incorporating the technology most of us already use everyday (texting, Twitter). This perfectly fits the inherent casual nature of a slingshot, but is updated to fit the norms of 2012. Kids are not slinging rocks anymore (or not as often at least) but rather texting on their cell phones from the age of 10, and this project fully adapts to that fact. This project is also perhaps not considered as “high art” and is more temporary with an uncharacteristic type of media, just like graffiti, but it’s fun and original and that is good enough for me.

I’m hoping SMSlingshot circulates around the world and eventually makes it’s way to Rochester, NY.