about:

Infrared LEDs are not visible to the human eye but most surveillance cameras can see them. (in)visible pins are made of infrared LEDs, a battery and conductive thread.	This footage is from a surveillance camera. When the snaps fit together, the circuit is closed and the LEDs emit the infrared light.

(in)visible is a design prototype for electronic pins that people can easily build themselves and wear to demonstrate against the mass proliferation of surveillance cameras. (in)visible pins consist of infrared light emitting diodes (LEDs), a battery and conductive thread. Light from an infrared LED is invisible to the human eye, but it is visible to surveillance cameras. The more infrared LEDs that shine together, the stronger the white spot in the camera's eye.

Surveillance cameras often out-number trees and benches in US urban areas. The New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) in 1998 found 2,397 video surveillance cameras visible from the street level in Manhattan. Seven years later, the NYCLU reported the same number of cameras in Greenwhich Village and SOHO alone (ACLU.org). The proliferation of video surveillance is not only limited to our city streets, but also includes most other spcaces like schools, stores, elevators, taxis, bars, churches and public transportation. Most times cameras are installed in a community without critical discussion about the effects and objectives of the surveillance technology. The architect Richard Rogers writes in Cities for a Small Planet: "As the vibrancy of public spaces diminishes we lose the habit of participating in street life. The natural policing of streets that comes from the presence of people needs to be replaced by 'security' and the city itself becomes less hospitable and more alienating."

(in)visible pins encourage discussion about the pervasiveness of surveillance cameras and provide a playful platform for citizen-input about the design and use of our public space.

This project was designed for the Purchase College campus and the Neuberger Museum in 2007. Special thanks to Jacqueline Shilkoff and Katherine Behar.