i[me.you.us/them]Pod: the phenomenon of podbodies

these images relay some of the ideas relating to my research into the Apple iPod, through its:

[1] function as an icon or symbol in our public sphere as illusions of personal identity. the iPod "eye/i" interface [it's wheel-button], distinguished white headphone wires and it's constant upgrade-ability makes the iPod the symbol of cool, across age groups, gender and cultures [all within an affluent-enough socio-economic class]

podbodies are a result: we may all look alike but it is what is inside that counts. what's in my iPod_what's in my head. normally what is in your head, no one should be able to take from you, but unplug it and our iconIdentiy is lost

[2] heightened sense of connoisseur-ship of music. it makes the average listener a music buff and it feeds an addiction that may or may not have already been in place.

[3] alteration of social interactions. it changes what is public and private, it reverses a traditional 'broad' cast to a narrowcast--music directly in ear-- and it transfers a 'narrow' cast to a broadcast--anyone can podcast any audio or visual work. we dance alone in view of others, we tap our feet to our rythm, we create personal space among the public space, we disregard public etiquette.

[top] apple store, nyc, 2005

[bottom] fast ferry, rochester, 2005

[top] shoe musuem, toronto, 2005

[bottom] lake ontario, toronto, 2005

city street, toronto, 2005

images by ilana swerdlin