#stragerselfie essra neda
Title: Selfies with strangers Audience: Public Location(s): All over Melbourne Time/Date: 30th March 2014 Duration: 1 hour
Intervention Summary: “There are no strangers here; Only friends you haven’t yet met.” Anonymous
This intervention was about taking selfies with strangers. And was to test the ability of sharing with others and to what extent could it be done.
How much can you share with strangers? a stare, smile, a word, chat, food, money? SELFIE?!
3 _ Introduction
Israa Mohammed
et stre n la
unio
rke
bou
little
s
in coll
block pl
eet s str
swa
l tre p cen
r ln
este
nch
ma
in coll
s st rave deg
beth
reet
eliza et stre
Location Map
eet n str
nsto
ne
rs la
e flind
eet rs str
e flind
4 _ Site
Israa Mohammed
Site Photographs
The site was a journey on Swanston Street, from Carlton to Federation Square. This tested a few public spaces and type of people, from UoM located in a residential zone to RMIT university, Melbourne Central and the main square in the city, Federation square.
5_ Site
Israa Mohammed
smart phone with camera mobile data
courage me
+?
The activity required to walk around the city with a smart phone with camera and instagram as well as a sign to make it easier to explain, with some hashtags. It also required some courage to ask the question.
6 _ Activity
Israa Mohammed
The Narrative & Background: The aim of the intervention was to inspire people to change the idea of social interaction. It is a small act that could put a smile on people’s face and encourage them to leave their comfort zone.
It also showed how much people are willing to share as a good gesture and friendly attitude and nothing more.
7 _ Photographs
Israa Mohammed
Photographs
Observations: Total of 30 requests to people was made.
There was a positive and a negative reaction from the audience. The responses varied between a welcoming smile to “I don’t care” to a couple of rude reactions. The data generated partly showed what kind of people were open to such ideas, through age, gender, social state, what they do and their personalities.
People who said yes. Turned a serious face into a smile. Many did not ask where is it going and did not put alot of attention to the hashtag to look it up, yet they were interested in the purpose of the activity. People who said no: Those who were unsure of the use of the photo refused. Some liked the idea and smiled but were not comfortable with it and the response was nicely said.
General: Approaching people walking, engaging in a personal activity or a conversation mostly resulted in a “No” where as those waiting for public transport, sitting in a public space or doing a casual activity accepted taking the photo. People who didn’t participate liked and encouraged the idea but were hesitant to do similar or be the one to initiate it.
9 _ Observations
Israa Mohammed
yes 47% no 53%
yes Police
2
Young adults
8
performers older than 45
no
5 1 1
12 1
new followers comments new followers new likers average likes
1 4 8 17.72
flinders street the project
flinders station
opportunities
e
b
yarra river
rid
d
n sa
ge
g rid
don’t care
no
yes
rude shy
open flexible
A journey an experience events / workshops
mystery comfort
Diagrams
12
Conclusion: The act of taking photos with strangers was a fun and entertaining experience. It showed that giving an opportunity to make a start changes the situation we are in, but needs something /someone to initiate it.
Sharing and opensourcing is an essential part of this project and to observe closely people’s reaction to such ideas changes the way we always perceive it. Why would they do it and why they wouldn’t?
How did this inform the project brief? Might include a casual workshop & exhibition area were people could manipulate without the supervision of organisers. Emphasis on flexibility, freedom of use and opening up opportunities. Emphasis on the element of entertainment through learning in the project use.
Give opportunity for people to understand the elements of the project for comfort in use. Openness in planning. However, do we still need a level of privacy to those who need their comfort zone for exploring? Make an opportunity for entrepreneurs from all disciplines to participate (art, design, entertainment, technology, music, film, etc) because they want to be OUT THERE.
13 _ Conclusion
Israa Mohammed