Björn Franke News | Projects | Research | Teaching | Biography
Threat Alert | 2007 Mixed Media | 1 Object 125/125/180 | 3 C-Prints 600/450 »Threat Alert« is a device that turns the abstract fear of catastrophes and terror into a tangible experience. Linked to a governmental warning system, the device displays the current national level of threat on a colour coded scale. Through this, the individual citizen is kept in a hypochondriac condition of permanent readiness and alertness. In addition to the display a wearable device can be used, which pinches the skin if the threat level rises.
Mixed Media | 1 Object 335/265/66 | 9 C-Prints 400/300 »Traces of an Imaginary Affair« is a kit containing a set of nine tools which can be used to create an imaginary affair. These tools leave marks on the body, such as bite marks, carpet burns, bondage marks, love bites, scratches and bruises. In addition, probes of perfume, lipstick and hair can be applied to either the body or clothes. The project broaches the issue of intentionally instigated jealousy in relationships, which often serves to bolster self-esteem or to test the strength of partnerships. It was inspired by stories of people who used fake evidence of victimisation or illnesses to receive attention from others. Photos in collaboration with Jonas Unger.
Mixed Media | 3 Objects 123/35/21 | 1 Film 4:08 min HDV »Affective Sensory Extensions« is a short film and collection of three wearable interfaces that monitor health-related information concerning the user’s body. The devices create an immediate and tangible experience by anticipating the long-term consequences of the user’s behaviour. Rather than displaying the information as abstract data, the devices transform them into tangible and unpleasant consequences by using the body itself as a display. The »Stressed« device measures the user’s stress level through galvanic skin response. After an initial phase of adaptation, an increase in the stress level results in an unpleasant scratching of the skin with a metal comb. Upon being further stressed, and thus aware of the risen stress level, the user has to relax in order to stop the scratching. The »Sunburned« device measures UV radiation in relation to the time of exposure. If the exposure reaches an unhealthy level, the device evokes an artificial sunburn by heating up a metal plate on the user’s skin. By creating an immediate sensation of the long-term consequences of the sun’s radiation, the user has to leave the sun to stop the burning. The »Cramped« device monitors the user’s posture and frequency of movement with an accelerometer. If the user remains in any one position for too long, it induces a cramp through electronic muscle stimulation, forcing the user to adapt a healthy posture or to change positions more frequently.
Mixed Media | 1 Object 691/350/170 | for Shona Kitchen and Ben Hooker The »Cellular Noise Maker« is a portable steel box comprised of a central fluorescent display surrounded by a pattern of aluminium flexible flaps. It resembles a large portable radio, and can be carried around, keeping the house’s occupants company. As data is received by the device from other noise farming devices of the Edge Town house, it is stored in its memory and shown as an intricate pattern of dots on the central display. When its memory is full, the noise-maker uses its stored data patterns as a score to generate a sound burst of many simultaneous clicking noises by using electromagnets to rapidly move the flaps on its surface. The clicking noise ends in a sharp FM radio pulse which is a highly compressed data burst of all its memory contents. Following this, the memory is wiped and the process starts again.
Mixed Media | 1 Object 140/149/220 | 3 C-Prints 600/450 »Pace Maker« is a training device to improve performance for extreme workout. It consists of a facial mask with a valve and an embedded pedometer which counts the amount of steps per timeframe. The valve opens or closes depending on the stepping speed of the user, which has to be set at the beginning of the training. If the speed is too low, the device starts to suffocate the user which mobilises all power reserves.
Mixed Media | 1 Object 960/865/1700 | 1 Film 1:46 min HDV | 3 C-Prints 600/450 »Panic Box« is an interactive installation that instigates fear and panic in a person being locked in a man-size box. A voice invites the user to enter the box. After closing the door, the user is trapped inside and asked to pass a reaction test in order to open the door. The situation intensifies with the release of a gas and the continuous drop in reaction results. However, since the test result is manipulated and the gas is a placebo, the only way to exit the box is by pressing a panic button which raises an alarm and unlocks the door. The machine creates a hopeless situation from which the user can only escape by admitting a state of anxiety. Photos in collaboration with Jonas Unger.
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