Personal Space Protector

Here are the documentation photos from my last project, titled "Personal Space Protector". This project was created for an assignment in which we were required to make a Chindogu. A Chindogu is, well......look it up if you don't know what a Chindogu is! Don't you have the internet in front of you? Ha.

Or, instead of navigating away from my e-space, you can visit my neighboring course blog for the full documentation write up and an explanation as to what a Chindogu is. Please read it or at least browse! In a general sense, "Personal Space Protector," also known as PSP or "The Human Bull Bar," is a wearable metal perimeter that protects a person from having others get too close when in a crowded environment. If someone does happen to get too close, have no fear!!! The Personal Space Protector is fully equipped with motion sensing alarm and a user-controlled Panic Button system for when the going gets rough.

Personal Space Protector will be hitting the streets for full testing in one week's time, and will be shown in late August at The Substation gallery on Wits campus with visiting artist from NY, Laura Nova. My classmate Wayne was nice enough to help me by wearing the device for the first trial run in public (I will be wearing in town next week). Please enjoy the photos taken during first tests on campus, and check back soon to see the short video reel of the project.

Cheers!





First, a low quality picture of the Personal Space Protector without Panic Button unit shown.

Panic Button unit.
Straps to support belt for easy access.




Now for the pictures of The Human Bull Bar in action.

Notice how the passer-by has to cram into the corner.




One of my favorite elements of this work is that when someone is wearing the “Personal Space Protector,” the way that the user and the surrounding individuals have to compromise and alter their instinctual actions in order to keep their own personal space in tact becomes a focal point of the artwork. Doorways, narrow passages, and crowds of people all become very influential due to the inability of avoiding “interacting” with the environment and the people inhabiting it.









This guy seemed to be laughing it off initially,
but I think it was a fake smile for the camera.



That smile soon wore off.


Hit the Panic Button Wayne!







View from above.











These guys split just to get out of the way.




The final two pictures show girls nearly knocking
their friends over just to get out of the way.


HAHHAAAAA!

Thanks for visiting. Video clips from the campus experience will be up shortly. Be sure to tune in again next week when I post the video footage and photos that are taken when I walk the streets of Braamfontein while wearing the Personal Space Protector. Another rant is in the works as well. Check ya later.