Electric Body

2023

Interactive Installation

Materials: Restored CRT monitors, active videoscope, auxiliary chord, found and repurposed materials

Electric Body is an interactive installation that transforms discarded technology into a vibrant exploration of the human relationship with electricity and the body’s connection to technology. Originally constructed using restored CRT monitors and materials salvaged from Baltimore City, the work critiques the pervasive culture of planned obsolescence and champions the repair and renewal of e-waste.

The installation features an active videoscope that remains dormant until activated by the viewer’s physical touch. A 20-foot auxiliary chord extends from the monitors, creating a circuit only when it comes into contact with the body or any conductive surface in the surrounding environment. This tactile interaction generates live, dynamic visuals on the screens, making the audience an integral part of the circuit and the artwork.

Electric Body is both a reflection on and a renewal of the technology left behind in our urban environments. By salvaging and repairing materials found on the streets of Baltimore, this piece reduces e-waste and breathes new life into discarded objects, demonstrating their potential for reinvention. The work underscores the urgent need to rethink how we manage and value technology in a society driven by fleeting trends and disposable consumer goods.

Continuing to grow, Electric Body now includes more than 10 additional restored televisions as of 2024, each contributing to a larger conversation about sustainability, repair, and our evolving relationship with technology.