Saturday, Jul 18, 2020
2-4PM
Workshop
Masks have become popular and expressive means of undermining surveillance technologies. In this hybrid lecture and workshop session, artists María Angélica Madero and Joselyn McDonald will reflect on the evolution of surveillance over the last century and review strategies that artists and technologists are using to resist facial recognition surveillance.
María Angélica Madero will explore the contemporary significance of masks—shielding the respiratory system from viral infection, protecting protestor anonymity, and weathering climate change-induced natural disasters—and will teach participants how to create augmented reality face filters. Joselyn McDonald will lead a tutorial, using flora and other readily available organic materials, to create masks that undermine an algorithms’ ability to recognize a human face. The session will conclude with the opportunity for participants to make their own anti-surveillance masks.
Please bring materials you would like to use for mask making to the workshop.
Suggested materials include: wildflowers, soft branches and stems, and tall (soft) grasses. If you cannot access natural materials, consider collecting household materials like paper strips, crafting materials, and cloth. Strongly pigmented makeup is also a good option. To attach materials, we suggest bringing bobby-pins, hair clips, and/or cosmetic glitter glues (aka Spirit Gum).
Instructed by:
María Angélica Madero
Joselyn McDonald