VANNEVAR BUSH

Vannevar Bush was a scientist, engineer, writer, researcher and did very radical work in analog computing. He imagined portable computers with the capability of associative thinking, which was in a way a gateway to thinking about "hypertext" except he called it associative trails. This imagined portable device that he imagined was given the name of Memex. The Memex would be capable of collecting, storing, and retrieving information in a personalized way that catered to its user's informational needs. Therefore it would function as an extension of memory.

If I would have to predict the future of computers, I would definitely give a lot of thought to the notion of online identity along with real world identity of humans. We already spend so much time on social platforms, inevitably creating and morphing our identities which become real to others doing the exact same.

 

Artists working with technology: Momoyo Torimitsu

This piece by japanese artist Momoyo torimitsu is titled Miyata Jiro

In Japanese, Miyata-san is what in English is called a "salary man,". He is perfectly dressed in a business suit and performs between high rises in business centers. What differentiates the Miyata-san from any other businessman in this world is that he just crawls on the floor. Just crawls--he doesn't do or know anything else but crawling since he is a life-size, crawling robot designed by the Japanese artist Momomyo Torimitsu, who assists him dressed as a nurse.

The power and success of this life-sized crawling doll lies in the dramatic representation of a businessman in its most humiliating position: crawling in the street in a suit. This is a strong linguistic metaphor as well as a psychoanalytical and a pathological one.

Her website: go to website

The Surrogate - Kelly Heaton

So, I know many people are opposed to fur, including PETA. But how about stuffed animal fur? 

Kelly Heaton, who is pictured in the images, explores this idea, along with the idea of a surrogate stuffed animal; specifically, a surrogate Tickle Me Elmo. 

jacket made from 64 Tickle Me Elmos purchased on eBay, stole, dress form, 4 battery panels, 7 electronic panels, custom-made touch pad

Pillows of the future

If you are anything like me, you like the snooze button, you like short/long naps, you like the cozy feeling of your orthopedic bed, and never take for granted the soft sheets you first splurged on as a self proclaimed "adult."

In other words, you take your pillow time very seriously. And so do Olivier Oswald and Armella Leung who created the pillow installation shown above. The pillow has added sensors that detect even the most gentle movement, which initiates a playful and inviting dreamlike visual that becomes interactive with every stroke. I imagine that this relaxing and soothing visual feature will put counting sheep out of work in the near future. And when a heavier weight rests on the pillow, like that of your sleeping head, the pillow projects an endless array of visual possibility, like that found in dreams (or the continuously updated visual database). All of this whilst functioning as a comfortable, soft pillow, you could sleep on.

This art piece hints at the possibilities that will eventually be readily available to customize our hard earned sleep. I'm sure that eventually, even music will project from your pillow to hum you into pre-chosen set of dreams.  I can almost hear the advertisements; "Choose the dream provider that keeps working while you sleep." Most likely brought to you by google.

Until then, just enjoy the song below.