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Your Phone Needs To Cool Down

Date

2019

Dimensions

39 x 39 x 180 cm

Material

Aluminium, glass, 2 heating lights, LCD screen, smartphone, temperature sensor, phone protections, electronic components

Software

Arduino, unity

Supported by

Pax Art Foundation

Description

In the context of climate change, technology is often discussed as either a cause or a solution. This installation shifts the narrative by speculating over how consumer electronics themselves will fare in a future affected by catastrophic global warming.

The collective imaginary pictures technological devices as entities existing beyond the constraints of their environments. Visions of indestructible robots permeate popular culture, accentuating the notion that these inorganic structures are undisturbed by thermal or electromagnetic radiation. In reality, this is not the case. While some contraptions are designed to withstand extreme conditions, the immense majority of machines we come across are quite vulnerable. For example, most smartphones become unusable in temperatures exceeding 45°C: « iPhone, needs to cool down before you can use it ».

So as to evoke an artificial climate, this artwork features equipment found in terrariums. Two heating lights – one representing sun and the other moonlight – create temperatures which can vary between 25°C and 55°C. In the glass box, smartphones have replaced reptiles, exhibiting their possible behavior between heat waves. At 45°C, the devices will go into a sort of high-tech hibernation; freezing screens in scorching temperatures (and artificially re-creating the bug: "Your phone needs to cool down before you can use it"). Under 45°C , the phone displays media content which reflects and speculates about his own survival as consumer electronics.

Initial exhibition at H3K, Basel

Exhibitions views

exhibition view at Hangar Y, Paris, 2024
STORMY WEATHER, Centre culturel suisse. Paris, 2021 © Margot Montigny
STORMY WEATHER, Centre culturel suisse. Paris, 2021 © Margot Montigny
exhibition view at Hangar Y, Paris, 2024
exhibition view at Hangar Y, Paris, 2024

Details

Videos

Contact

Fragmentin
Rue de Lausanne 64
1020 Renens, CH


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Thanks

Thanks

Fondation Vaudoise pour la Culture
Swiss Cultural Fund UK
Pro Helvetia
Art Foundation Pax
HeK
Canton de Vaud
Ville de Lausanne
Ville de Renens
Migros pourcent culturel
Arts at CERN
Hospitalité artistique de Saint-François
Swiss Alpine Club SAC
MUDAC
Ars Electronica

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