Gazer in Action
The Gazer is an automated object designed to alter the sense of privacy in its environment. Its motion is subtle and almost stealthy. Its face is featureless dark abyss that resonates with the common domed security cameras. In today’s technological advancements in surveillance and increased desire and need for privacy, we are extremely sensitive of “gaze” of others. Gazee’s behaviors can differ extremely depending on the presence of gaze and what kind of gaze it is. The more public the gaze is, the less comfortable we are. By installing the Gazer, I question our psychology in space with surveillance and what it means for public or the unknown to be gazing at us.
This project was, at heart, to question the psychological space and how it is affected by today’s surveillance method by personifying the public gaze into a mythological creature.
Visit Project Website or read below:
THE GAZER IN SPACE
Space where the gazer occupies. Recommended installation site would a quiet empty room in the corner of the room where it is relatively less noticeable.
Gazee can enter the space with or without the knowledge of the Gazer.
A Gazee is physically free with in the space but Gazer deforms the range of psychological free space. The Gazer will face your direction and what it can do to the Gazee is dependant on how vulnerable one feels and the relationship.
It is up to the Gazee decide whether to embrace or invite the gazer or fear the gaze and become a subject under the power of gaze.
THE GAZER AND THE GAZEE
The Gazee must walk into the room alone.
The Gazee is identified by his/her face and will be subjected under the gaze of the Gazer.
The Gazee’s behavior is subjugated by the Gazer by the knowledge of the gaze; Though, not living, the Gazer gives the sense of exposure thus reducing the sense of privacy.
The Gazee has the ability to change the relationship by inviting, subverting the gaze.
THE GAZER – MECHANISM
The Gazer sits at the edge of flat surface and detects the subject’s face and orient its mechanism accordingly.
Materials:
1. For the mechanism: Two Servo motors (Pan/Tilt)[muscle], Arduino board kits[brain], Webcam[eye]
2. For the outside: Fabrics and plastic dome(or plastic concave lid) [skin]
Making Process:
1. Wiring and Connecting the motors to the Arduino board and the camera
2. Programming the Arduino board and motors to detect faces.
3. Building the housing
4. Dressing it in mysteriousness
