/INNOVATIVE

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intoit
GOCHA
Zerocluster
360extended
/oddspaces
sunoKhani

OddSpaces
How often do we find ourselves caught up in the conventions of urban life? Or conversely, how often do we succumb to societal norms to simply ‘get by’. Examples of the power of conventions are how commercialized lingo such as ‘medium double double’ is easily integrated into our speech to identify the kind of coffee we like, or how a collective of people can have shared dreams or ideas in cosmopolitan cities. These customary acts are constantly performed in contemporary life and although are relatively mundane, they reflect the need to conform to our environments. The fear to diverge from these regulatory systems can keep us from exploring new aspects of our lives, and ultimately, keep us from knowing those around us.
 
Odd Spaces is a real time, interactive new media research project that examines mundane conventions of everyday urban life, by using ordinary spaces in Urban Architecture such as the elevator, hallways, bridges connecting buildings. Spaces which are symbol of the shared and commonly used space of the urban environment; Odd Spaces questions how human behavior is modified by interactions with others if there is no context. For instance, we normally spend anywhere from 30 seconds to a couple of minutes in an elevator in any given day. It is in elevators that we are mindful of how we should act with those who share the space with us. In fully investigating these small spaces, we can track these interactions through experimental technologies and odd configurations.

In September 2008, Odd Spaces was presented at ‘Six Degrees of Separation', a KHOJ initiated exhibition including participation of five South Asian countries.
For the show, Odd Spaces connected galleries in 3 different South Asian countries, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Using real time video projections relaying simultaneously in each of the selected locations. There were 2 video projections at each location (6 in total), approximately 4'x4'. One projection was connected with the remote locations, shuffling the locations one by one in a pre defined time-lapse, while the other projection was relaying a continuous live feed of the host location.

The video projections compelled the viewer to engage and interact with a participating viewer from a different location, thus making a strong statement about connecting with each other, celebrating similarities and overcoming complex social and political relations.

The project received travel grant from Ontario Artists Council 2008 and project grant in 2006 and self directed residency @ Banff Center 2008.