SUPER:WATCHES
An ongoing and evolving edition of smartwatch-like devices that focus on the playful reframing and reinterpretation, refusal, and joyful stubborn shifting and questioning of electronic device functionality and it's politics.
Common smartwatches augment the human body with a digital layer that is mostly unquestioned. Skin resistance, pulse, and motion sensors measure body data noninvasively, often for lifestyle or body-optimization purposes. The digital communication layer finds a near-body extension in these devices through notifications or direct microphone input. The psychological implications—and even the medical relevance—of these setups are hidden behind shiny, flashy interfaces that suggest seriousness.
The SUPER:WATCHES series builds on this cultural observation, smuggling its own playful and critical narratives into this context.
NOTE:WATCH
NOTE:WATCH is a device that replaces the expected smartwatch display with simple, folded, ordinary paper. The paper can easily be removed from the device slot and written on; you can also write directly on the paper while it remains in the device for quick notes on the run. No need to log into a black mirror and be distracted.
MOSS:WATCH
MOSS:WATCH uses the smartwatch case itself as a mobile, on-body growhouse. The hollow case is filled with a simple layer of moss that needs to be cared for. The moss can be touched and smelled at any time.
NOTE:WATCH ( YIH - EDITION )
The "YES, IT HURTS!" Edition of the the NOTE:WATCH comes with a spiked surface, that causes gentle pain while wearing the device. The pain is enhanced by hand movement and physical interaction. The device plays with prominent, but gentle pain both as a vehicle for focus or distraction - as a reminder of what there is on the paper display of the device or what is missing.
FLUFFY:WATCH ( YIH - MONO EDITION )
the FLUFFY:WATCH ( YIH - MONO EDITION ) - is a distrative, progressive material and interaction variation. The upper display part comes with an all white fluffy plush textile insert, when the case itself comes with spikes, that cause gentle pain on the users wrist, when moving the hand or on physical pressure. Touching the fluffy surface always comes with a proper, slightly painful stimulation of the skin.
PRODUCTION & OPEN SOURCE
The SMART:WATCHES is a limited artist edition of selected devices. Besides that, all production data, like 3D meshes or lasercut data will be published as Open Source for free for customization, custom reproduction.
- please contact me for 3D files - they are really crappy, I do not want to publish them in that form now. working on that :) - I am no 3D head.
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
The series continouosly grows. Here is some small ideas, that sound funny and might be realized :)
NUMB:WATCH — painful spikes on the surface side that steer the focus on the device caused pain instead of the surrounding
OFF:WATCH — off/on - simple on and off switch, that can be applied to any imaginary state or item in the world
SILENCE:WATCH — integrated earplug holder as display
RE:WATCH — integrated mirror as a display to find other perspectives