0100101110101101.org LIFE SHARING

"Life Sharing is abstract pornography", Hito Steyerl

That's how Hito commented on life sharing.


















0100101110101101.org  LIFE SHARING is made by Eva and Franco Mattes, two Italian artists. Visitors can assess this computer to obtain all contents they want, including software, emails, screenshots,even their current location from GPS. All privacy turned to the public.

Is it an open source?

In my opinions, I think this artwork reflects the concept of open source -- "open source is a philosophy that promotes free redistribution and access to an end product's design and implementation details." (Wikipedia). All visitors can assess the computer freely. They can obtain all details they want, even a little modification of the computer, visitors can see the whole movement.

However, I think there are limitations for this artwork to be an open source. "For although the web is their stage and they use avatars in some of their live collective performances, to limit their work to the digital medium would be to downplay the premise of its psychodrama."[1] The content of this computer cannot be modified by the others, it determined by the owners (Eva and Franco Mattes). Therefore, the source is controlled by the owners. Visitors can only grab the information provided by the owners, unlike the last example, Wikipedia. So, in my conclusion, I think it is not really an open source, only in the concept.

[1] "Eva and Franco Mattes aka 0100101110101101.org Reality is Overrated," The Brooklyn Rail, http://brooklynrail.org/2010/06/artseen/eva-and-franco-mattes-aka-0100101110101101org-reality-is-overrated (accessed Oct. 4, 2012).