“Opportunity in Obsolescence” by Erik Contreras

Title:

Opportunity in Obsolescence

Artist(s) and People Involved:

Exhibiting Artist(s):

Symposium:

ISEA2022: 27th International Symposium on Electronic Art

Venue(s):

Santa Mònica, Barcelona, Spain

Artist Statement:

With many issues surrounding our high-tech products including: 1) planned obsolescence, 2) a linear “cradle-to-grave” life cycle, 3) the accumulation of electronic waste (e-waste), and 4) consumer culture, there is potential of finding creative solutions to reusing/repurposing our obsolete technology. This potential can be found in this artistic work where a typewriter hacked to perform as a USB printer using the design principles meant to combat the issues listed above. This includes using open-source hardware and software as well as incorporating adaptive design for future updates.