This work was exhibited at:
Hochschultage HfK Bremen, 2023
Alte Pathologie Bremen, "studies of change", 2024
In a world where digital signals constantly surround us, "conspiracy overflow" is an interactive installation that explores the intersection of technology, misinformation, and human perception. From our smartphones and smartwatches to everyday objects like TVs, refrigerators, and even light bulbs – these devices continuously emit signals that form an invisible web of digital communication around us.
The work uses ESP32 microcontrollers to create a physical manifestation of how information flows and transforms. Multiple stations collect Bluetooth signals from visitors' devices, translating this digital presence into flowing water – a tangible representation of how information moves and mutates as it passes from one source to another.
The project was inspired by real-world encounters with my uncle who believes in conspiracy theories, particularly those that emerged during the Covid-19 pandemic. Each station in the installation is deliberately "biased," processing and transferring water in its unique way – kind of like that uncle at family gatherings who somehow turns every conversation into a lecture about chemtrails. This mirrors how humans process and share information – never entirely accurately, always colored by our own beliefs, experiences, and perceptions. The water circles through the system in endless iterations, each pass creating new patterns and interpretations, much like how information morphs as it spreads through social networks and communities.
The installation raises provocative questions: How do conspiracy theories take root and spread? What makes certain groups more susceptible to believing them? The installation challenges viewers to consider how their own biases might influence their interpretation of information.
"conspiracy overflow" also examines the technical feasibility of common conspiracy claims. While fears about surveillance through vaccination chips may be unfounded, we willingly carry devices that broadcast our presence constantly. The installation makes these invisible signals visible, encouraging viewers to reflect on their relationship with technology and the information they consume. And let's be honest – if someone really wanted to track you, they wouldn't need to inject a microchip when you're already posting your location, lunch, and life philosophy on social media every twenty minutes.
The aesthetic draws from stereotypical german middle-class culture, featuring elements like garden gnomes and precisely maintained front-gardens, adding a layer of cultural commentary to the technical exploration. This familiar setting and interesting visual aesthetic provides an accessible entry point for discussing complex topics of trust, technology, and truth. Through this work, visitors are invited to observe how information flows, mutates, and accumulates – much like conspiracy theories themselves. Think of it as a Twitter feed made of water, minus the endless arguments about whether the earth is flat (it isn't, by the way – I checked with the garden gnomes)
Things I did:
Arduino - woodworking - 3D printing - design exhibition space