User:Vitrinekast/Proposal
More recent version (updated 07/11/2024)
In this project, i’ll research the various ways in which abandoned media can be re-purposed into sound devices. I see "abandoned media" as discarded devices that no longer serve their original intended purpose, but could still function as something else. For instance, a printer being repurposed into a percussive instrument, as happened in paper Jam.[1]
As a maker and collector of "things" I’ve been dealing with the question my own environmental footprint. I feel like I cannot on the one hand critique Hogeschool Rotterdam for offering 1TB of (Microsoft) cloud storage to every student[2] , yet also buy Arduino clones from AliExpress[3].
During the research, I’ll explore the ideas of speculative sound circuits[4] , where, trough "playful and absurdist methodology" "unlikely technological devices are combined to create sound and performance", and Salvage Computing[5]. Trough a series of sound devices, performances and maybe even DIY/DIWO workshops. As the project is set up in a modular way, each sound device, performance and/or DIY/DIWO workshop combines into a larger "orchestra of things".
Figuring out how to make the best possible use out of the millions of devices which already exist.
Some traces to follow
- Turn Printer Jam into a collaborative sound orchestra (Bring Your Own Obsolete Media-style). Where we’d prepare "modules" for visitors to plug their devices in, reducing them to their core feature, a motor spinning, a thing turning on/off. These modules are connected via the klankschool server into a bigger composition.
- Collect simple schematics regarding oscillators e.d. and create them using salvaged components. A next step of this would be to turn the printer into an actual instrument that you play.
- Translate these discoveries into DIWO’s at the klankschool
After speaking more with Riviera, we've decided to explore trace 1 more. More specifically, meaning we'd like to host a series of workshops/gatherings at the klankschool, to DIWO experiment with livecoding & salvaging sound devices
I’m collaborating closely with Riviera Taylor on our continuation of Paper Jam, a performance we did combining printers with live coding. As a thesis project, I/we want to explore these ideas even further. For me, that means salvaging components and hardware from abandoned media to make new sound devices, as we for sure need electronic music after the inevitable apocalypse. For Riviera, I’d suggest to, and I will too, take a look at her proposal on her wiki page. We also still have to discuss/reflect on the most recent thoughts/ideas together. → TBA!
Who
- Creative Coding Utrecht - space to host DIWO
- Klankschool and it’s residents
- Operator Radio to talk about post apocalyptic electronic music, but also to create the workshop in a different environment
- Roodkapje to host DIWO
- Riviera Taylor
- Trashure expert Joak
- XPUB community
Why
"Salvage computing believes that the end of a computer product’s lifecycle should be seen as a moment of celebration". When reading about Salvage Computing on the xxiivv wiki I got very excited, as it could give me a different vocabulary when working with salvaged electronic components as a material. The last year I’ve been a part of various workshops around DIY/Electronics/Circuit bending etc. and I’ve been increasingly surprised by the way some people spoke about the materials being used. Especially around material that is "broken" (what is broken anyway, who decides when something is broken), it was sometimes seen as valueless and waste, to be discarded and not thought off again.
Why not
But, I don’t want the thesis to be a finger-pointing text, as these comments are, as far as I understand, the result of a capitalist system where consumers are being tricked and forced into buying instead of repairing. (Because it’s much cheaper, if you are able to express time spent into moneys). I also want to stay clear from the e-waste green washing by checking upcycling pinterest boards and joining Rotterdams circular kambucha workshop (might as well call this section why not), and I’m not sure how to do that really.
Why again
Because it is so much cheaper to get Arduino clones on Ali express then to salvage components from abandoned printers, I think it would be, for me, a super interesting experiment to try and use these salvaged components as much as possible. What workflows do I need to come up with to salvage these components? Which are the most salvageable, how to recognise them? What can they be used for? And, how to deal with the carcass of the printer? Is the approach madness, or a viable option?
When
November
- Talk to riviera about shared project proposals?
- Start salvaging!
- Make & document first sound device(s)
- 2nd repair club klankschool
- Create repair club logging system
- !No reading!
22nd November 2024 Deadline Project Proposal
December
- Contact some from the "who" list for possible workshops/DIWO events
- Continue salvaging!
- !Lots of reading again!
- ?Thesis outline 2.0?
- Continue repair club
Januari
- Contact some from the "who" list for possible workshops/DIWO events
- Continue salvaging!
Februari
- Do the DIWO/workhops?
Maart
- Do the DIWO/workhops?
- Write the thesis
14th March 2025 Deadline First Draft Thesis April
- Write the thesis
18th April 2025 Deadline Thesis Mei
- Do the DIWO/workhops?
- Wrap up
What came before
I enjoy making systems and more specifically sound systems.
Which context
TODO
References
- Garnet Hertz, Critical MakingGarnet Hertz - conceptlab.com
- Richards, J. (2013) Beyond DIY in Electronic Music. Organised Sound
- Speculative sound circuits Richards J.
- The rise of LOFI culture, spencer A 2008
- Hardware hacking and recycling strategies in an age of technological obsolesence
- the art of electronics
- Shannon Mattern, "Maintenance and Care," _P
About the thesis itself
In the thesis I want to describe the "outcomes" of the experiments done with salvaged components. As the both the experiments and the outcomes are a bit unclear, I find it difficult to describe (pin myself down to) the specific topics the thesis will be about, as I want the practical side of things to still be left open.
Ideally, the thesis could be a guide (not how to or for dummy’s) on salvaging components for making small audio systems with. From where to find the e-waste, which components are usable and how to recognise. It could also be left open in its "design", leaving blank pages to be filled in with later salvaged knowledge.
Next to this, I think it’s good to explore the why’s a bit more:
- Hacking/DIY’ing/Salvaging/repair’ing as a way of re-claiming ownership
- (and media archeology? and anti black boxism? and anti-consumerism?)
- Salvaging as a moment of celebration
More chaotic version
Hello reader. I am +/- 1 - 2 weeks behind on writing project proposals. But i'll get there eventually. Sorry (but not really that sorry) for the mess.
Project proposal
- 1 What do you want to make?**
I'll research ways of re-purposing abandoned media in the making of sound devices and performances. The first version was Printer Jam, a performance i did with riviera around printers and live coding. As a thesis project, I want to push this idea even further. Salvaging components and hardware from abandoned media to make new sound devices, as we for sure need electronic music after the inevitable apocalypse.
2 How do you plan to make it? Do the steps proposed sound feasible? Are there any steps omitted? TBA
3 What is your timetable? Does the timing of the project’s realisation sound feasible? TBA
4 Why do you want to make it? Is the motivation for undertaking the project clear? If not, how can this be improved? I really want to make sound devices, and I really want to try and compose with these somewhat unorthodox instruments.
5 Who can help you and how? Are there people in your network that might be of help in developing this project? I will collaborate closely with Riviera to make the performance, and make the performance on top of the klankserver, a server that she hosts.
6 Relation to previous practice: yes
7 Relation to a larger context: Is it clear how the work is embedded in a broader context of art works, theory, etc.?
8 References/bibliography: Are there any references or sources you feel are connected to this project?
Thesis
1 Intro aka WHAT do you want to research: Is it clear what this text is about, what is its central research question? 2 For each proposed chapter: Is it clear what this chapter will look into and is it clear how it relates and works towards answering the central research question? 3 Method aka HOW will you go about answering your research question: Is there a choice of research method and if so, is it a good fit with the central research question? 4 Mode of address aka HOW you want to tell your story.: Is there a choice for a mode of address and if so, does it fit the topic and method of the thesis?
Previous version
I want to write about the current state of repairs? Where we as consumers no longer own devices (or "stuffs"), we also no longer feel obligated to maintain those devices. Not only that, we as consumers are discouraged to repair or modify the devices. Afraid of losing warranties, we lose repair skills instead. I consider the ability to repair something an important skill.
There is already written loads around this topic. There is the Right to Repair movement, more focussing on politics, repair cafe's, where knowledge is exchange (and maybe some things are repaired), online platforms such as ifixit or other repair wiki's. So i'm not sure yet what this thesis will add to it, but i guess it's an important topic to me.
If your vacuum breaks there are , in my understanding for the general public, a few things you could do. You can take your shitty vacuum to a repair cafe where an unpaid volunteer will fix it or you could buy a new shitty vacuum and throw the plastics in a recycling bin, where a small percentage of your shitty vacuum might turn into a fairphone, but since your shitty vacuum is probably created out of mixed plastic, it will most likely be burned.
However, there are a few methods/practices/ideas/proposals around the ecosystem of this shitty vacuum. And i'd like to write about that too. (Celebration of end of life products)
The three issues i want to explore are:
- Being discouraged to repair - (Celebration of) end of life products - Media archeology? What to do with devices that have no use in it's intended design? (Yes, pushing printers in there).
Mode of address is personal/from my perspective.
also, it will be in markdown, not in wikisyntax