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subpixel is a subway advertisement upgrade kit.

subpixel is built from laser-cut acrylic, rubber bands, and nine razor blades. In two quick swipes, it transforms a small patch of subway advertisement from a “one-way, unending flow of shit” into an 8×8 grid of pixel stickers, ready for two-way interaction with the public. Download the files for laser cutting here.

Initial tests involved minor modifications to a mainly white poster, using classic icons like the I-beam text selection cursor.

The individual pixels proved just as useful for expression as the negative space.

Keep your eyes open for a single removed pixel as an indicator of a prepared poster, as the grid itself can be hard to see.

Posted on April 2, 2012

BROWSE / IN TIMELINE

COMMENTS

  1. t says:

    I always enjoyed the ad-cutting-art in NYC. Certainly a nice addition!

  2. […] Subpixel is an open-source tool for converting a subway advertisement into a space for public art. The tool has 8 razors that, with two quick swipes, cut a grid of 64 removable sticker “pixels” into the advertisement. Anyone can then remove the pixels, creating pixel art on the ad. Subpixel is by Free Art & Technology. ShareEmail […]

  3. […] Subpixel is an open-source tool for converting a subway advertisement into a space for public art. The tool has 8 razors that, with two quick swipes, cut a grid of 64 removable sticker “pixels” into the advertisement. Anyone can then remove the pixels, creating pixel art on the ad. Subpixel is by Free Art & Technology. ShareEmail […]

  4. Jim says:

    The results are pretty neat, but good luck carrying a plastic board with a bunch of razor blades attached to it into the subway. I’m sure the cops won’t think that’s suspicious.

  5. fffffat says:

    > good luck carrying a plastic board with a bunch of razor blades…

    Fortunately the atmosphere in the NYC subway isn’t quite on par with the TSA yet. And because it doesn’t make a very functional weapon, I don’t think you would have trouble explaining it in the case of a bag search. “I’m an artist, it’s a tool for making evenly spaced cuts when doing collage work.”

  6. […] fffff.at: In two quick swipes, it transforms a small patch of subway advertisement from a “one-way, […]

  7. […] of the original ad or otherwise make an original statement. This latest offering from NYC’s Free Art and Technology collective is a tool, not just for creating ad-cutting art, but for encouraging passers-by to join […]

  8. daniel says:

    The tool itself has an interesting look, reminds me of Maciunas’s cutting blades door

  9. […] of the original ad or otherwise make an original statement. This latest offering from NYC’s Free Art and Technology collective is a tool, not just for creating ad-cutting art, but for encouraging passers-by to join […]

  10. […] look for other consumer-facing companies to explore this brave new world – even if it’s something as simple as advertisements in the subway. Where Google goes, others will follow. Already, there’s word that other tech companies are […]

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