It would be nearly impossible to define what is art in this post. What is certain is that projects listed below have a certain level of thesis, an intellectual overview and a position in relation to Twitter as a social phenomenon.
Whether they are driven by empathy or pure interest in group behavior, Twitter is becoming a true reflection of our joint digital projections of ourselves (reaffirming our identity in a landscape of rapid change – Manuel Castelis). Whilst honesty and truthfulness is valued one can not ignore that it is the rationale and in many cases very calculated usage of twitter that attracts followers.
If art is a reflection of ones time, driven by social, economic or cultural momentum, Twitter is a resource where our group behavior can be analyzed, reflected upon and critiqued.
These recent 5 projects do just this. They are pieces of art, no matter how simple their nature is they reflect our group behavior. They also inspire, provoke response and drive a conclusion and opinion.
Whether you are a twitter user or not, what is certain is that this is a collective conscience billboard not to be ignored.
Pa++ern
Pa++ern is a project by Daito Manabe and Motoi Ishibashi. It includes an embroidery machine which translates messages derived from Twitter into code and converts into designs. You can see it from this Saturday on at the Beams Gallery in Tokyo. (via)
Installation 1
All Tweets of Installation1 followers are printed daily & dropped on a spot @ Walkers Point Center For Art gallery in Milwaukee 6/5-7/2. Then glued into ball. The exhibition finished only few days ago so unfortunately you have just missed an opportunity to have your words displayed. linky
Chalkbot
Own a piece of the road at the Tour de France. Write your message and it will be sent to the Nike LIVESTRONG Chalkbot. What words of hope, inspiration and encouragement will you share with the world? Follow @chalkbot on Twitter.
DeepLocal and StandardRobot worked with Nike’s agency, W+K, to design and develop the pneumatic robot and software system. The system includes a text message interface, web based queue and approval system for tour officials, onboard machine and nozzle control, spray mechanism, camera and GPS capture system, and Twitter integration.
Best Day Ever
Best day ever is a twitter project by Zach Gage. Each day at 6:30pm EST it automatically searches twitter for the phrase “best day everâ€Â and then picks a tweet it likes, and re-twitters the tweet as it’s own. Zach refers to it is a compilation of all our happiness. Follow @mybestdayever for latest updates.
Murmur Study
This installation consists of 30 thermal printers that continuously monitor Twitter for new messages containing variations on common emotional utterances. Messages containing hundreds of variations on words such as argh, meh, grrrr, oooo, ewww, and hmph, are printed as an endless waterfall of text accumulating in tangled piles below.
Murmur study is a collaboration with Márton András Juhász nilseuropa.com and the Kitchen Budapest kibu.hu.
Project Site:Â christopherbaker.net/projects/murmur-study/
[Showing at the Weisman Art Museum, Minneapolis, Minnesota now through August 23th, 2009]
Murmur Study from Christopher Baker on Vimeo.
More..
If you know any more we have missed, please link up in the comments.
If you liked this post, see also A Different Twitter [WebApps]
