Alex Dunbar (interview with Ricardo Dominguez), “Follow The GPS, Ése: The Transborder Immigrant Tool Helps Mexicans Cross Over Safely.” Vice 16:11 (November, 2009).
In “Follow the GPS, Ése: The Transborder Immigrant Tool Helps Mexicans Cross Over Safely”, author Alex Dunbar conducts an interview with performance artist-activist, Ricardo Dominguez. As a member of the Electronic Disturbance Society, Dominguez uses technology and the Web in order to carry out non-violent yet direct protests toward both the United States and Mexican government. As I was reading the interview, I saw two concepts that stood out to me: Dominguez’s explanation and invention of the Transborder Immigration Tool and the US government’s illegal media “attack” towards the EDT in response to the “Swarm Action” project.
According to the performance artist, the purpose of creating the Transborder Immigration Tool was due to his interest towards the technological functions of the GPS and how he was capable of tying the device into the concept of those who were trying to cross the border:
“I thought it was really interesting because it moved GPS from an urban application and placed it in the natural frontier. I’m always interested in how we shift these ubiquitous technologies and configure them towards other issues and disturbances, as I like to call them. And of course, the border is right there. We know individuals crossing the border mainly die because they get lost or run out of water. It’s the devil’s highway, and it’s been that way for 500 years” (2).
It is interesting to see technology being put to use in order to assist those who need help, such as Mexicans crossing the border. However, once the device is completed, how will it be distributed and to whom will the product go to? If it goes into the wrong hands, problematic situations may arise. It is also possible that government involvement will occur and the device may be taken away to prevent “illegal” immigrants from coming in to the United States. I would see this device as a double-edged sword: a product that contains both positive and negative benefits.
In terms of the US government’s illegal attack towards the “Swarm Action” Project, I was bewildered at the fact that the artist had the option along with the right to sue the Pentagon for conducting an unjustly action. Not many situations or individuals are offered with this option yet Dominguez decided not to sue the Pentagon; instead, he “decided to develop and distribute the disturbance kit so anyone could use it” (2). In today’s society, many individuals take the chance to gain profit by suing others yet the artist takes the experience and changes it into an educational practice which students can learn and benefit from.
In Alex Dunbar's article "Follow the GPS,The Transborder Immigrant Tool Helps Mexicans Cross Over Safely" he gives information about Ricardo Dominguez's performance art organization call EDT (Electronic Disturbance Theater). EDT conduct various experiments having to do with what they call "experiments in electronic civil disobedience". Dominguez's current project entitled "The Tranborder immigrant tool" is equipped with a GPS which helps immigrants safely cross the border. This tool acts as a guide to food, shelter, and safe routes on the journey over the border.
In the interview with Ricardo Dominguez he talks about EDT and it's goals as follows,"We developed the idea of electronic civil disobedience as a way to mediate the emergence of digital capitalism" (Dominguez). It seems that EDT continuously walks the fine line between EDT being a nuisance to the border patrol and doing something that is illegal. The transborder immigrant tool will also stir up some controversy, but Dominguez assures Dunbar that the immigrant tool is merely a safety tool and nothing more.This tool would be completely essential for those crossing the U.S.-Mexican border. It isn't an issue of this being a device that will cause more immigration to the U.S. because this is an ongoing issue happening everyday.
Yes, I do not think this would actually increase the amount of illegal immigration to the US. It's really more of a symbolic gesture.
And it has stirred up quite a controversy. Let's discuss further in class tomorrow. I'll fill you in on all the details (and legal woes EDT has been facing).
The article's title is called Follow the GPS, Ese--The Transborder Immigrant Tool Helps Mexicans Cross Over Safely. This article is basically about Ricardo Dominguez who only really wants to help Mexicans cross over the border safely. Dominquez was a member of Critical Art Ensemble in the 80s. He wrote a book in the 90s about different arcs of capitalisms. Some of the members have been arrested. One member, Steve Kurtz, was brought before a grand jury in 2004 because homeland security considered him a bioterrorist threat for using nonpathogenic bacteria in museum. He mentions "it looks like we're ready for a showdown for the ages" after Obama's administration will reduce the number of border control next year. This article mentions "and Dominquez couldn't be happier about the level of shit he is about to seriously disturb." I feel this statement is a very aggressive and attacking point of view. So, I can sense a type of suffering these border people have been through. Overall, I believe that with enough suffering will arise help for these border people.
Cross over safely. In Alex Dunbars' article "Follow the GPS, ESE: The Transborder Immigrant Tool Helps Mexicans Cross Over Safely" not only are art actions described, so are political actions. Artist Ricardo Dominquez treads on a very thin line of what performance art is, and what disturbance is.
It feels as though I'm picking on a good idea, and good intentions. How could making someone feel safe be a problem? Well, he is assisting in something that is illegal, and I am not sure I can dub helping someone cross the border illegally art. Not to say that I condone the violence at the border, but can't there be another way? That's a bit idealistic, I know, but how is this art? I think this triggers more of a political activism opposed to performance art.
Also, the EDT (Electronic Disturbance Theatre) focuses on creating electronic disturbances and civil disobedience, in a way that protects its protestors. I think this is a very good, and original idea. Yet, can we call these acts of disobedience art? In fact, it's sad how important technology is to us, we rely so heavily on the internet, we get uncomfortable thinking that what we do on it isn't safe, or can be traced. Another thought that comes to me, is that if the internet dies, we become inept.
In the article FOLLOW THE GPS, ÉSE: THE TRANSBORDER IMMIGRANT TOOL HELPS MEXICANS CROSS OVER SAFELY, Ricardo Dominguez is being interviewed about his electronic phone tracker projects to ensure safe border crossing for illegal immigrants. His projects are public and transparent, which made people wonder how the government is reacting to these initiatives. Dominquez said that the government responded to "the public DoS attacks" by using military forces to the civilians are considered illegal according to the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878. But my question is, what is the proper respond from the government when the official servers of border petrol is being hacked and jammed? On the other hand, I applaud Dominguez to dedicate his life to offer safer tool for the illegal immigrants to navigate across the border. Many lives are endangered in the process of crossing the border, and with this affordable tool, may everyone who is pursuing their American dream be successful and arrive here safely. I'm also very certain that this project runs into troubles with the "anti-immigration militia" that this interview did not go into depth.
Ricardo Dominguez paid Alex Dunbar an interview that as an activist advocated electronic civil disobedience and his cellular transborder companion. The discussion recounts his former fabrications and contemporary contributions. The Electronic Disturbance Theater’s network employment of electronic and internet resources in the obstruction and abolition of website operations prompted a reactionary Justice Department virtual strike and provoked corporal as well as online campaign occupations. For Dominguez, the organizations, disturbances and research he is apart of are interconnected and proficient as such. The notion of electronic civil disobedience was seeded by his time in The Critical Art Ensemble. He delved into the Swarm Action that brought an illegal info war upon them, his unorthodox professorship, the EDT’s proliferation riposte and a colleague’s prototype As a technological protest participant, Dominguez is active in the distribution and the invention of an immigrant’s guide to refuge, roadways, partisans and provisions. Dominguez purports the Motorola phone’s manufacture and function as a safe passage device to forestall deadly disorientation and dehydration. In Dominguez’s words, “it’s not a political resolution; it’s a safety tool.” Order can be restored and law enforced without loss of life, exploitation or persecution. By supplying survival kits, EDT or the nation would not be condoning illegal entrance into the country or hinder the state line security. The tracking tool would only seek to diminish en route traveler mortality rate. Dominguez’s GPS gadget’s incorporation of humanity into the process is distinct from and does not impinge upon patrol objectives. There is no modification or dismantling required or asked of. He and his accomplices through cyber hijacking and innovation fashion a forum for progressive thinking and ultimate action. I am of the same opinion that the principle behind the works is value reform and that it is implementation worthy.
In the interview/article "Follow the GPS Ese" written by Alex Dunbar the interviewee Ricardo Dominguez talks about his electronic disturbance work which utilizes technology and inventiveness to render official government websites handicapped on both sides of the border. Dominguez states that he is aware of the disturbance and headaches he causes both militant citizens and governmental authorities due to his techniques and tools provided to those crossing into the US illegally. He confirms his actions as not political/terrorist attacks on the powers that be but instead as safety tools for those risking there lives traversing the harsh deserts of the borderlands. Interestingly his actions and life's work has caused illegal retaliation by the pentagon yet he was given the choice to sue the American government because of the attack he and his group were subjected to. He refused to sue and instead focused on further development and distribution of his techniques and tools. As I read this interview I was in a way more motivated to follow through with my own ideas and projects no matter how much against the grain they seem, and to do it without fear or secrecy. Dominguez's last words resonate in my head and seems to sum up what this artists work is really all about "Its not about doing away or altering borders, but about opening new forms of communication and understanding".
I'm glad that you are inspired by his work! What you stress is true: "it is not about doing away with borders." It is instead about making those small, everyday changes, which add up to so much more.
In “Follow the GPS, Ése: The Transborder Immigrant Tool Helps Mexicans Cross Over Safely”, author Alex Dunbar conducts an interview with performance artist-activist, Ricardo Dominguez. As a member of the Electronic Disturbance Society, Dominguez uses technology and the Web in order to carry out non-violent yet direct protests toward both the United States and Mexican government. As I was reading the interview, I saw two concepts that stood out to me: Dominguez’s explanation and invention of the Transborder Immigration Tool and the US government’s illegal media “attack” towards the EDT in response to the “Swarm Action” project.
ReplyDeleteAccording to the performance artist, the purpose of creating the Transborder Immigration Tool was due to his interest towards the technological functions of the GPS and how he was capable of tying the device into the concept of those who were trying to cross the border:
“I thought it was really interesting because it moved GPS from an urban application and placed it in the natural frontier. I’m always interested in how we shift these ubiquitous technologies and configure them towards other issues and disturbances, as I like to call them. And of course, the border is right there. We know individuals crossing the border mainly die because they get lost or run out of water. It’s the devil’s highway, and it’s
been that way for 500 years” (2).
It is interesting to see technology being put to use in order to assist those who need help, such as Mexicans crossing the border. However, once the device is completed, how will it be distributed and to whom will the product go to? If it goes into the wrong hands, problematic situations may arise. It is also possible that government involvement will occur and the device may be taken away to prevent “illegal” immigrants from coming in to the United States. I would see this device as a double-edged sword: a product that contains both positive and negative benefits.
In terms of the US government’s illegal attack towards the “Swarm Action” Project, I was bewildered at the fact that the artist had the option along with the right to sue the Pentagon for conducting an unjustly action. Not many situations or individuals are offered with this option yet Dominguez decided not to sue the Pentagon; instead, he “decided to develop and distribute the disturbance kit so anyone could use it” (2). In today’s society, many individuals take the chance to gain profit by suing others yet the artist takes the experience and changes it into an educational practice which students can learn and benefit from.
The application is to be installed on inexpensive cell phones which are then distributed to border crossers via local NGOs.
DeleteIn Alex Dunbar's article "Follow the GPS,The Transborder Immigrant Tool Helps Mexicans Cross Over Safely" he gives information about Ricardo Dominguez's performance art organization call EDT (Electronic Disturbance Theater). EDT conduct various experiments having to do with what they call "experiments in electronic civil disobedience". Dominguez's current project entitled "The Tranborder immigrant tool" is equipped with a GPS which helps immigrants safely cross the border. This tool acts as a guide to food, shelter, and safe routes on the journey over the border.
ReplyDeleteIn the interview with Ricardo Dominguez he talks about EDT and it's goals as follows,"We developed the idea of electronic civil disobedience as a way to mediate the emergence of digital capitalism" (Dominguez). It seems that EDT continuously walks the fine line between EDT being a nuisance to the border patrol and doing something that is illegal. The transborder immigrant tool will also stir up some controversy, but Dominguez assures Dunbar that the immigrant tool is merely a safety tool and nothing more.This tool would be completely essential for those crossing the U.S.-Mexican border. It isn't an issue of this being a device that will cause more immigration to the U.S. because this is an ongoing issue happening everyday.
Yes, I do not think this would actually increase the amount of illegal immigration to the US. It's really more of a symbolic gesture.
DeleteAnd it has stirred up quite a controversy. Let's discuss further in class tomorrow. I'll fill you in on all the details (and legal woes EDT has been facing).
The article's title is called Follow the GPS, Ese--The Transborder Immigrant Tool Helps Mexicans Cross Over Safely. This article is basically about Ricardo Dominguez who only really wants to help Mexicans cross over the border safely. Dominquez was a member of Critical Art Ensemble in the 80s. He wrote a book in the 90s about different arcs of capitalisms. Some of the members have been arrested. One member, Steve Kurtz, was brought before a grand jury in 2004 because homeland security considered him a bioterrorist threat for using nonpathogenic bacteria in museum. He mentions "it looks like we're ready for a showdown for the ages" after Obama's administration will reduce the number of border control next year. This article mentions "and Dominquez couldn't be happier about the level of shit he is about to seriously disturb." I feel this statement is a very aggressive and attacking point of view. So, I can sense a type of suffering these border people have been through. Overall, I believe that with enough suffering will arise help for these border people.
ReplyDeleteWhat EDT is doing is rather agressive, isn't it? Do you think it's warranted?
DeleteCross over safely. In Alex Dunbars' article "Follow the GPS, ESE: The Transborder Immigrant Tool Helps Mexicans Cross Over Safely" not only are art actions described, so are political actions. Artist Ricardo Dominquez treads on a very thin line of what performance art is, and what disturbance is.
ReplyDeleteIt feels as though I'm picking on a good idea, and good intentions. How could making someone feel safe be a problem? Well, he is assisting in something that is illegal, and I am not sure I can dub helping someone cross the border illegally art. Not to say that I condone the violence at the border, but can't there be another way? That's a bit idealistic, I know, but how is this art? I think this triggers more of a political activism opposed to performance art.
Also, the EDT (Electronic Disturbance Theatre) focuses on creating electronic disturbances and civil disobedience, in a way that protects its protestors. I think this is a very good, and original idea. Yet, can we call these acts of disobedience art? In fact, it's sad how important technology is to us, we rely so heavily on the internet, we get uncomfortable thinking that what we do on it isn't safe, or can be traced. Another thought that comes to me, is that if the internet dies, we become inept.
Angelena, I think we can have a good debate in class tomorrow about why (or why not) EDT's projects are considered art. Let's discuss!
DeleteIn the article FOLLOW THE GPS, ÉSE: THE TRANSBORDER IMMIGRANT TOOL HELPS MEXICANS CROSS OVER SAFELY, Ricardo Dominguez is being interviewed about his electronic phone tracker projects to ensure safe border crossing for illegal immigrants. His projects are public and transparent, which made people wonder how the government is reacting to these initiatives. Dominquez said that the government responded to "the public DoS attacks" by using military forces to the civilians are considered illegal according to the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878. But my question is, what is the proper respond from the government when the official servers of border petrol is being hacked and jammed? On the other hand, I applaud Dominguez to dedicate his life to offer safer tool for the illegal immigrants to navigate across the border. Many lives are endangered in the process of crossing the border, and with this affordable tool, may everyone who is pursuing their American dream be successful and arrive here safely. I'm also very certain that this project runs into troubles with the "anti-immigration militia" that this interview did not go into depth.
ReplyDeleteYes, this interview does not discuss all of the opposition and outrage at this project. I'll fill you in tomorrow.
DeleteRicardo Dominguez paid Alex Dunbar an interview that as an activist advocated electronic civil disobedience and his cellular transborder companion. The discussion recounts his former fabrications and contemporary contributions. The Electronic Disturbance Theater’s network employment of electronic and internet resources in the obstruction and abolition of website operations prompted a reactionary Justice Department virtual strike and provoked corporal as well as online campaign occupations. For Dominguez, the organizations, disturbances and research he is apart of are interconnected and proficient as such. The notion of electronic civil disobedience was seeded by his time in The Critical Art Ensemble. He delved into the Swarm Action that brought an illegal info war upon them, his unorthodox professorship, the EDT’s proliferation riposte and a colleague’s prototype As a technological protest participant, Dominguez is active in the distribution and the invention of an immigrant’s guide to refuge, roadways, partisans and provisions. Dominguez purports the Motorola phone’s manufacture and function as a safe passage device to forestall deadly disorientation and dehydration.
ReplyDeleteIn Dominguez’s words, “it’s not a political resolution; it’s a safety tool.”
Order can be restored and law enforced without loss of life, exploitation or persecution. By supplying survival kits, EDT or the nation would not be condoning illegal entrance into the country or hinder the state line security. The tracking tool would only seek to diminish en route traveler mortality rate. Dominguez’s GPS gadget’s incorporation of humanity into the process is distinct from and does not impinge upon patrol objectives. There is no modification or dismantling required or asked of. He and his accomplices through cyber hijacking and innovation fashion a forum for progressive thinking and ultimate action. I am of the same opinion that the principle behind the works is value reform and that it is implementation worthy.
Some of your cohort question its legality and morality. Let's debate tomorrow!
DeleteIn the interview/article "Follow the GPS Ese" written by Alex Dunbar the interviewee Ricardo Dominguez talks about his electronic disturbance work which utilizes technology and inventiveness to render official government websites handicapped on both sides of the border. Dominguez states that he is aware of the disturbance and headaches he causes both militant citizens and governmental authorities due to his techniques and tools provided to those crossing into the US illegally. He confirms his actions as not political/terrorist attacks on the powers that be but instead as safety tools for those risking there lives traversing the harsh deserts of the borderlands. Interestingly his actions and life's work has caused illegal retaliation by the pentagon yet he was given the choice to sue the American government because of the attack he and his group were subjected to. He refused to sue and instead focused on further development and distribution of his techniques and tools. As I read this interview I was in a way more motivated to follow through with my own ideas and projects no matter how much against the grain they seem, and to do it without fear or secrecy. Dominguez's last words resonate in my head and seems to sum up what this artists work is really all about "Its not about doing away or altering borders, but about opening new forms of communication and understanding".
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that you are inspired by his work!
DeleteWhat you stress is true: "it is not about doing away with borders." It is instead about making those small, everyday changes, which add up to so much more.