This Art Installation Highlights the Absurdities of the Internet of Things

Like most tech journalists, I have mixed feelings about the Internet of Things. In many cases, IoT-enabled devices are very useful. I like being able to tell Alexa to turn off my bedroom light, instead of having to get out of bed and walk ten whole feet to the light switch. But, on the other hand, tech companies have gone a bit overboard—I really don’t need or want a toaster that can be activated from Zimbabwe (I don’t live in Zimbabwe).

To shine a light on the often-silly applications of the Internet of Things, artist Ralph Kistler has created an art piece called Internet of Shrimps. The art installation, which was created at the Seoul Art Space Geumcheon, pokes fun at the absurdity of many IoT-enabled devices, while ironically using them itself.

The build consists of a desk with various devices scattered about on it. The objects are mostly items that have happily existed for a long time without being connected to the internet. Centered on the desk is a tablet, which has an interface for selecting a specific item.

When an object is chosen, a video of Kistler interacting with that object is played. Using p5.js, the timing of the video is synced with the functions of the items on the table. So, as Kistler says “light on” in the video, the corresponding lamp on the table is activated. The system is, of course, completely impractical. But, that’s the point—to show how impractical IoT devices often are.