Unraveling the infra-ordinary (of the 21st century)

Field Research

people walking around while looking on their phones, calling someone, texting..*headphones to listen to music or talk to someone (still feels unfamiliar and strange if someone talks while wearing headphones)*man stands in the middle of the street, his arms raised up in the air, taking photos with an iPad, after a while he turns around 180° and takes a Selfie in front of the scenery he shoot earlier*20.9. from 15.20 walking around in the North of Rotterdam (noordmolenstraat) a lot of people walking around, sitting in cafes, shopping, some of them talking on their phones or looking on it while walking (head lowered). cafe from 16.11. two people sitting at a table (men and women)drinking a glass of wine, their smartphones lying on the table in front of them, man looks at the phone, they continue talking, the women leaves the table and the man takes his phone and holds it in front of his face, looks like his is taking photos, since he is sitting at the table next to me, he could be taking photos of me (feels unpleasant)* 8 women having wine together, every once in a while one of them lowers her head and does something on her smartphone, the conversations aren't interrupted*the waiter has a digital device to take orders, which looks like a phone, he looks like he is texting while taking an order*group of 5 men and 3 women, smartphones on the table and often on other objects like wallets or for example sunglasses on the phone

17.9.things I did today on my digital devices
8.30 woke up, answered on Facebook messenger, that we would Skype around 9.30
8.30 - 9.30; requested two new friends on Facebook, alarm clock at 09.00 (phone)
9.30 skyped until 10.30 (computer), images sent via Skype (phone - Skype version on the computer can't open photos)
since 10.30 listen to a remix, that was sent to me via iMessage (phone), short Facebook chat, checked my mails (computer), internet research, writing text (computer)
12.00 -12.36 watched an episode
13.29: answer to a previously read Facebook message, about rescheduling the evening appointment to Skype, (read-phone, answered-computer)
14.30 tried to connect with the wifi at city hall, password needed, unable to log in (phone)
15.15 called colleagues make plans
16.45 connected to eduroam/wdka, internet research, work (computer)
18.30 called someone in austria (phone)
19.00 connected to the internet at home (computer+phone)
until 22.00 checked emails, Facebook, research, watched a movie (computer)
(18.9.) 09.00 alarm clock (phone)
10.00-11.30 research, listen to radio, Facebook conversation about the plans on weekend (computer)
12.00 facebook message
12.30-14.00 work/research (computer)… (Laptop/Smartphone is an important tool in everyday life. in terms of work, entertainment, communication and private relations. To communicate, gain knowledge, information, listen to music, watch films, watch series//Apps I use: Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Skype, Google Maps, Radio(Ö1), Youtube, for public transport(in Vienna/Austria) The internet is taken for granted, Safari Browser, Camera, Messenger, Phone)

Research/Themes

• Skype

the feeling that everyone is reachable any time, creating new globalized relationships. An increasing mobility of humans throughout the globe, Disruptions in-between conversations cause problems, repetitions, video or audio transfer is delayed or stops, --> Skype Room, Skype Suit --> Hug Shirt (- wearable technology) - the world's first haptic telecommunication wearable,

The Hug Shirt is not meant to replace human contact, but to make you happy if you are away for business or other reasons and you miss your friends and loved ones. It also has some very interesting applications in the medical field with the elderly and children. And it is fun to use and very soft.

• Virtual Reality

The computer-generated simulation of a three-dimensional image or environment that can be interacted with in a seemingly real or physical way by a person using special electronic equipment, such as a helmet with a screen inside or gloves fitted with sensors. (Oxford Dictionaryies)

How much time do we spent in different virtual realities? How will virtual reality develop and improve (imitating reality) in the future? Under what circumstances would we stay in a virtual reality? How would we describe the digital culture to aliens? (oculus rift, motion suit, smart gloves//digital devices as extension of the human body f.e. Biohacking (DIY Body Modification) [1]