Leashing the Socket
Sockets are all around us in our daily lives, forming a network of electricity that outlines the boundaries of human existence and distinguishes the activities of “modern people.” This relationship between humans and sockets creates an unseen force that attaches and restricts us.






插座充斥在我們的生活周遭,背後形成的電力網絡框架出人類的生活範圍,區分了「現代人」的活動界線,人與插座之間的關係也因此形成了隱形的牽制力,彼此依附而限制彼此。
作品嘗試互換插座與手機的供給角色與需求角色,由手機供給插座電力使插座甦醒並四處行走,此時人與插座間的狀態因電源線的相連而互相牽制,形成「遛寵物」的詼諧情境,也邀請觀眾思考,是人在遛插座抑或是插座遛人,誰才是真正行動者並握有主宰的權力。
反轉主客關係的“遛插座”試圖顯現出人與非人組成的複雜網絡中隱形的牽制力,嘗試將其放大並解放以成為獨立自由的存在,並將「遛」這樣的行為帶入插座與人之間的關係,藉此更凸顯人與非人間的不對等狀態,而在行走與跟隨彼此時,我們也不斷在突破現行網絡的束縛,嘗試建構出擁有自主權的個體。
The sockets are ubiquitous in our daily life, and the power grid behind them delineates the boundaries of human activities from non-human ones. However, this state of affairs has created an invisible binding force between people and sockets, which limits their relationship with each other.
The artwork “Leashing the Socket” attempts to reverse the roles of power supply and demand between the socket and the mobile phone. By supplying power to the socket from the mobile phone, the socket is awakened and walks around. The relationship between people and sockets is intertwined because of the power cord, creating a humorous scenario of “walking pets”. We are also prompted to consider whether it is people who are walking the socket or the other way around, and who truly holds the power.
Through this reversal of roles, “Leashing the Socket” attempts to reveal the invisible binding forces within the complex network composed of humans and non-humans. By amplifying and freeing these forces to make them independent entities, the artwork brings the act of “leashing” into the relationship between people and sockets, highlighting the unequal status between humans and non-humans. As we walk and follow each other, we are constantly breaking free from the constraints of the current network and attempting to construct individual entities with autonomy.

Action
We tries to swap the roles of supply and demand between sockets and mobile phones. By having the mobile phone supply power to the socket, it comes alive and starts moving around. The connection through the power cord ties humans and sockets together, resulting in a humorous scenario of “Leash- ing pets.” This also invites the audience to ponder: Who leashes whom? Who truly holds the power?
After reversing this dynamic, the intention is to reveal the intricate network formed by humans and non-human elements. The aim is to magnify and liberate it, allowing it to exist as an inde- pendent entity. This introduces the act of “walk- ing” into the relationship between sockets and people, underscoring the unequal state between them. As we walk and follow each other, we continually break free from the confines of the current network, striving to build autonomous individuals.

Next?
By flipping the relationship between subject and object, will the resources inherently possessed by humans be set free?After we stole the power of the audience’s mobile phone, we stored the remaining power. These batteries, powered by the audience, will go to the next place….



Video
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Presentation
「A face drawn in sand」 ARS Electronica Festival 2023
- 裝置 : 林俊遑 / 黃紀虹
- 電控 : 林俊遑 / 黃紀虹
- 網頁串聯 : 林俊遑
- 合作單位 : 2023 Ars Electronica Festival