Flagellum Machinam

Wearable device, whip, motor, data visualization, custom electronics and software.

2013-11-01

Flagellum Machinam is a wearable device programmed to whip its user whenever a Wi-Fi network is present. The system detects the number of networks, the strength of their signals and names and translates these variables into the power of the whip, the frequency of it and the name of the torturer respectively.

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The machine is inspired in the flagellation rituals found in various religions and spiritual practices; fanatics that torture themselves in the name of god or their beliefs. The device acts as a metaphor that makes evident the devoted and at the same time tormented and suffered relationship that contemporary individuals maintain with technology.