After doing a inspiring presentation of his extensive research into Scifi interface at dconstruct 09 together with Nathan Shedroff, our old friend Chris Noessel went to Sweden to visit, decompress and relax for some days before returning to San Francisco. How well did that plan turn out? Not so much. Always industrious Unsworn Academy soon created a Mini-Conference of their own and convinced Chris to do the premiere presentation. The Show’s on tomorrow at 6PM, Tuesday, September 8, 2009.

This is what’ll happen:

Make It So explores how science fiction and interface design relate to each other. The authors have developed a model that traces lines of influence between the two, and use this as a scaffold to investigate how the depiction of technologies evolve over time, how fictional interfaces influence those in the real world, and what lessons interface designers can learn through this process. This investigation of science fiction television shows and movies has yielded practical lessons that apply to online, social, mobile, and other media interfaces.

Welcome everybody for presentation, snacks, small beers and small talk at the Unsworn Industries Headquarters!

Unsworn Telecom went to Helsinki to scout and test locations for a new, loud initiative: Megaphonebooth Helsinki.

Megaphonebooth Helsinki is a coin-operated megaphone to be located in a public space somewhere in Helsinki. To use the megaphone you just have to insert one euro per minute, speak into the attached handset and have your voice instantly amplified and projected into the local soundscape.

Why on earth?

A Megaphonebooth presents unexpected opportunities but also raises questions about responsibility, control, and democracy. Who are allowed control of public space and to what price? What citizen expressions and actions are sanctioned and encouraged by city authorities? In what world would Megaphonebooths be part of the everyday urban infrastructure? What does it mean to buy a megaphone minute? What rights can you actually acquire?

A small hammer

The Megaphonebooth offers a platform from which people could speak their mind, loud and uncensored. Yet, when compared to the loudness, plentitude and persistence of other messages (commercial, cultural and political) that we are exposed to in our everyday lives, the mighty megaphone seems peculiarly powerless. The Megaphonebooth is a deliberately tragic solution meant to bring focus to an unbalance while feebly attempting to correct it.

Scouting and shouting

Finding a good spot for the Megaphonebooth is essential. The location shouldn’t be too obvious, nor too odd. Not too practical for political polemics, nor too romantic and secluded. Thankfully, we got Pixelache organisers Nathalie Aubret and Juha Huuskonen and many other helpful locals to suggest interesting spots for us to try along with important background information.

With our tourist map cramped with circles, x-marks-the-spots and notes, we dug out some cardboard from the Pixelache dumpster and taped together a rough, somewhat portable, mock-up of a Megaphonebooth. Stuffing it with our handy travel-megaphone we had a working full-scale prototype in no-time.

For a full day we stuck to our prototyping itinerary, walking all over Helsinki, setting up and trying out the prototype every now and then.

In the end we managed to thoroughly test:

• The Kauppatori (market) Pier facing the sea
• The Esplanade
• The Railway Station Square
• Kamppi
• Hakaniemi Square
• Kiasma
• The Parliament
• The Mannerheim Statue
• The Long Bridge
• The Curve in Kalio
• Sörnainen Metro Station

Of all these, Kamppi is our favourite spot. It provides ample opportunity to engage in quixotic quarrels with commercialism represented by the Kamppi mall. The Finnish bureau of patents is also conveniently within earshot for those with a penchant for copyright conundrums. There is also plenty of space for a voluntary and involuntary audience.

Did we miss a spot?

Where do you think Megaphone Helsinki should be located?

With her startling composition One day without disgrace and crutches-toting choreography Malmö-based ophoniste Unbelivia charmed her way into the hearts of the stern Jury.

Last day of the station

It was a beautiful August evening at Spångatan yesterday. Ophoniste Grand Prix 2009 became a truly fitting finale for the Ophonestation Malmö installation. International stars mingled with neighbourhood kids. The Unsworn hosts sported their finests denim skirts.

Ophone veteran

Unbelivia is an experienced ophoniste. Under her North American alias La Livia she place 2nd in American She came 2nd at American Ophoniste Idol 2006? in New York. She was also a juror at the spectacular Ophoniste Grand Prix 2006 held at Ars Electronica in Linz, Austria.

Big-ups

Unsworn Sound cordially thanks the exceedingly competent jury members: Cindy Lee - art magnate at KRETS, Erik-Mikael Karlsson - sonic connoisseur at SR Monitor, Cecilia Nordlund aka Cilihilli, and radioman extra-ordinaire Tor Billgren.

We also extend loud and proud hurrahs to all the contestants: Olle, Majiker, Unbelivia, Woopededoo, Malmökids, Text och Textil, Serpens Caput, Daniel, Inventor, and Smiling Pause.

Off to Basel

After a tune-up in the Unsworn garage the Ophones will be sent to Switzerland for the Pronto! exhibition.