DIY Cyborg Workshop in India

The DIY Cyborg Workshop in India was an amazing success!
Thank you so much to Khoj Association for their massive support.

Here’s a short edited video of the workshop:

I asked the people who came to the workshop how they might modify&extend the body as cyborgs, based on their own particular problems, anxieties, needs or issues. The workshop aimed to think about how future technology may evolve with the rich Indian culture – and I also wanted to use the methodology to tap into the lives of the people in Delhi.

After the brainstorm in the morning we picked our favorite ideas and went to the local junk yard to collect materials for building the objects. I was interested in using vernacular materials that are easily and cheaply obtainable – it’s DIY Cyborgs!

Here are some of the ideas that came out from the workshop.

Burqa-borg

Anju Sharma created this burqaborg out of her own wish to create a burqa which worked similarly to the privacy settings in Facebook – she wanted a burqa in which she can flexibly choose which people to show her face to. People need to send a ‘friend request’ to be able to view her face behind the mask. Sharma feels that the burqa is not an oppression but a form of empowerment, just like the way we choose who to share information online.

Gaze Avoiding Cyborg

The girls wanted to create a body extension that made them feel more comfortable to walk at night. In Delhi men stare at women ‘a lot’. The men stare at the women so much that I understand why some of them feel like wearing the burqa..) The group prototyped objects that changed the body posture/outline, and objects that distracted the male gaze away from you by making big noise, etc.

The Fake Orgasm Goggle

This group looked at objects that allowed them to over-express their emotions. This particular prototype is the orgasm-faking goggles which display fireworks on the screen.

India was fantastic… I probably had some of the most amazing days in my life.
One of the best moments must be when we gate-crashed an Indian wedding and joined in their full-on Bollywood dancing.

Rish-Kish, a holy town on the upper stream of the Ganghis River, was beautiful!

I’ve met some wonderful people in Delhi…I hope to go back to India again soon!
I love you!!! xxx!

x
Sputniko!