your unerasable text

2011/12 - interactive installation

Feel free to send your message!

“your unerasable text” is an interactive installation, dealing with the topics of data storage and elimination of data. The installation can be placed in an exhibition, but ideally it's exhibited in a public space window, where it can be used by people passing by 24h a day.

The participant is asked to send a textmessage to the number written on a sign next to the installation.

“send your unerasable textmessage to

+43 664 1788374”

The receiver mobile transfers it to a computer, which is layouting the message automatically. Then it is printed on to a DIN A6 paper, which is falling directly into a papershredder. There the message remains readable for a few moments and gets destroyed then. The shredded paper forms a visible heap on the floor.

“your unerasable text” work via SMS because it’s the easiest and most comfortable way for the participant - and almost everybody owns a mobile phone. Another advantage is that you don’t have to be close to the installation, messages can be sent from all over the world. You don’t need any additional software or access to the internet to participate.

By using “your unerasable text” the send text message isn’t erased. The data is saved by the mobile carrier, the mobile that is integrated in the installation and the computer processing the text and sending it to the printer. The only thing that gets erased is the print, which is just a visualization of the text and has no effect on the data itself.

“your unerasable text” is easy to use, a sign showing an invitation with few words and the mobile number and the participant knows what to do and can interact.

 

Technical Data:

Software: Arduino, Processing and Windows

Hardware: Mobilephone, Arduino, Sensor, PC, Printer, Paper Shredder and Stand

Size: depth 50 cm, width 43cm, height 150 cm

 

Idea, Concept and Realisation: Stefan Tiefengraber

Thanks to: Dawid Liftinger