During a period of twelve days Helena, a design-student, charged with testing the artifact adopted and used the tinsel-o-matic at home. In an exit interview, which took place at the time of collection of the artifact/machine, she gave examples on how its presence had influenced her everyday life. She reported to having being disappointed if the ornaments fell without breaking, as they “didn’t feel like real messages.” Helena used the ornaments to display presence of contact by hanging them onto the surface of the machine.
“It makes me feel good when I pass the machine and see how many people have attempted to contact me.” Helena 20020330 The tinsel-o-matic became a source for everyday rituals. Helena would reflect on who had made a call, or perhaps why the ornament had not broken in the fall. She would also fantazise on what the person might have wanted to tell her. She said the messages (ornaments) inspired her to make up stories about wonderful things she wanted to happen. She would have to sweep shards of ornament-glass from the floor and to make sure it did not become dangerous for her cat.
During Helenas twelve days adoption of the tinsel-o-matic several new activities were initiated by the presence and interaction with the artifact, activities and rituals that she filled with meaning, a provoking and powerful metaphor of our relationship with everyday technology.
Quicktime: Helena Ondrus
