Text for Leonardo Journal circa 2004 [excerpt]
Here is an article for Vodafone about PBTV circa 2001
"Park Bench TV examined how the emergence of future localised broadcast (in this case specifically wi-fi) will create territories and in turn identities across locations in the city; what I termed 'Terraportals'.
The project straddled architectural and broadcast ideas and speculated on the development of future local community media channels, offering location specific data and an open access transmission system for a community.
The method was embryonic and involved initial conceptual speculation, combined with practical work building and designing antennas and the establishment of a Wi-fi node on the roof of the Architectural Association sometime in 2000.
One concept, "Signage for the Invisible", examined how people will understand what data is around them, when they cannot physically see it, and a projection of possible media battlegrounds fighting for spectrum and ultimately cultural domination of physical areas. The 'signage' eventually evolved into the physical alteration of street furniture which denoted a media information territory.
Early work involved using laptops and software to physically mark wifi signals – a practical understanding of physical access to technology, but also conceptual formulations of new notions of boundaries based on things you cannot see with the eye, but will be able to 'see', sense or react to via your device. This connected to ideas of physical materials and future possibilities of signal reflective surface. The marking of a physical 'territory' visualized the signals as a form of plan, allowing a direct connection to the existing language of the architectural diagram.
It can be a distinct disadvantage to concentrate on the specific use and application of "technology", and more useful to work in the manner of an architectural proposition, allowing variations of scale and scope; it is the visionary leaps which stand the test of time, providing a core conceptual idea that can be continually re adapted,
rather than being so tied to specific solutions that the work is destined to be a technological period piece." [2004]
" www.parkbenchtv.org is attempting to create and fuse a physical network and an on-line network into a combined interrelating system, which can be fluid and move from local to non local, combine physical activity and on-line discussion, and be of interest to both local people and also a world wide audience. It aims to combine wireless access, regeneration, recycling, and community.
The elements of the project are: a Park Bench within range of a Wi-Fi signal; a discussion forum, available from the web site to both local people and other users: a media channel streaming content specifically about the area; a printed newsletter aimed at local people, and the Wi-Fi node allowing access to the Internet." (PG 2001)
The aim with parkbench tv was to look at how "invisible" media can create physical territory and changes to a location.
This was an early project exploring a concept that I termed 'terraportals': land based portals that fused information with an actual location.
This project pre empted the field of what is now termed "Locative Media" - which is now a broad and growing body of international practitioners, artists and tecnologists.
For me parkbench tv was always the exploration of a broadcast media model with a strong focus on social cohesion. The aim was to manifest a new identity and physicla territory, in an almost innocuous location, and act as a catalyst for a new emergent information space.
Speakers Corner in London's Hyde Park is an example of this in practise but without using technology.
My recent public artworks have been linked through the idea of physically visualising invisible signals and PBTV was one initial expression of that idea." PG circa 2001