Capiderm: The Anti-Consumerism Patch (2006)
Tired of falling prey to the wrath of consumerism? Addicted to the exhilaration of burning through your paychecks through the purchase of useless name brand items? Can’t resist the hypnotic spectacle of commercial spaces?

Introducing Capiderm - the anti-consumerism patch.

Capiderm uses active Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) tags to trigger anti-shoplifting alarms on EAS gates. Being EAS is a standardized system implemented in most chain stores, one active EAS tag is effective for all EAS-equipped stores.Through the use of Capiderm, your desire to shop is curbed through the triggering of store alarms upon your entrance. Through this action, the quality of your shopping experience is compromised, deterring uncontrollable consumerism habits.

GotHacked.com - Starbucks Hack (2005)
in collaboration with Chris Barr and Chris Ferrari

Another day, another five dollar cup of coffee from a homogenous corporate chain. Well, at least not today. With this action we set up a small table next to Starbucks on Buffalo’s Elmwood Avenue. The table held fresh brewed coffee, cream, sugar, cups and spoons and was equipped with a sign that read “Free Coffee & Conversation.”

For a few hours on a chilly day people walking down the busy Elmwood Avenue could have a free cup of joe and some decent conversation. With a simple gift of a cup of coffee people began to become open and willing to share their stories and ideas. Our invitation offered people a place to interact with each other in public unbound from the role of consumer.

Hotdogs for Communism (2002)
in collaboration with Chris Ault, Jim Bromley, Greg Chapman, Maris Malejs, Brandon Merkel, Jeff Walton, and Chad Williams

Hotdogs for Communism was a installation in Fredonia, NY. As people filed out of a orchestra concert, we gave out free hot dogs amongst the cold grey walls of King Concert Hall. Surrounded by giant video projections displaying short segments of video, the audience was confronted with situation which was both spectacular and absurd.

Below is excerpts of work which I contributed to the event.

Posted: November 30th, 2007 under personal work.
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