Please Empty Your Pockets

Subsculpture 12

“Please Empty your Pockets” (Subsculpture 12) is an installation that consists of a conveyor belt with a computerized scanner that records and accumulates everything that passes under it. The public may place any small item on the conveyor belt, for example keys, ID cards, wallets, worry beads, condoms, notepads, phones, coins, dolls, credit cards, etc. Once they pass under the scanner, the objects reappear on the other side of the conveyor belt beside projected objects from the memory of the installation. As a real item is removed from the conveyor belt, it leaves behind a projected image of itself, which is then used to accompany future objects. The piece remembers up to 600,000 objects which are displayed beside new ones that are added to the installation. The piece intends to blend presence and absence using traditional techniques of augmented reality, such as those described by Adolfo Bioy Casares' 1940 novel "La Invención de Morel".

General info

Spanish name:
Por Favor Vacíe sus Bolsillos
Year of creation:
2010
Technique:
conveyor belt, mac mini computer, HD projectors, HD camera
Dimensions:
standard model is 273 x 42 x 124 centimeters but can also have variable dimensions
Edition:
6 Editions, 1 AP
Collectors:
Borusan Contemporary, National Gallery of Victoria, Thoma Foundation Art House Santa Fe, Zentrum für Kunst und Medientechnologie and private collector

Exhibitions


Credits

  • Programming: Stephan Schulz
  • Hardware: Stephan Schulz
  • Production Assistance: Pierre Fournier, Conroy Badger, Karine Charbonneau

Bibliography