By opening a maintenance hatch and hacking into the network infrastructure behind it, we acquire access to the electronic locking system. By controlling the buzzers built into the office door locks, we transform the Science Park 2 building into an orchestra and it resounds like a huge walk-in instrument. The installation playfully provokes thought about the vulnerability of modern technology and its growing risks for society.
Exposed Building
The slick surfaces of floors and walls conceal a baffling array of pipes and cables that provide a building’s essential logistics and infrastructure. A building even has a certain “intelligence” due to the emergence of networking and automatization. The building evolves into an organism, kept alive and communicating with us through these channels. At the same time they expose a vulnerability. When we open its shell, through a maintenance hatch or a control cabinet, we gain access to all sorts of vital parts of the building, in this case the electronic locking system of the office rooms.
Video
Credit: Michael Mayr
Credit: Michael Mayr
Project Credits / Acknowledgements
Institute of Networks and Security, Johannes Kepler University
Supported by Land Oberösterreich
Biography
Michael Roland: Born in Linz, Austria in 1984, he is a researcher and lecturer at Johannes Kepler University Linz, where he explores the area of digital identities, smart cards, NFC, and network technologies with focus on security and privacy. Master of Science in Embedded Systems Design (University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria, 2009) and Ph.D. (Dr.techn.) in Computer Sciences (JKU Linz, 2013).
Michael Mayr: Born in Upper Austria in 1981. Engaged in music production, sound design, visualization and computer animation. Master of Science for Digital Media in 2007, studying composition with focus on computer music since 2017.
Robert Holzinger: Born in Gmunden in 1989 is currently studying for Master’s Degree in computer science with focus on pervasive computing. After an apprenticeship in the metal industry, he completed an evening school with a Higher School Certificate with a focus on mechanical engineering in 2016. He has been studying at the JKU Linz since 2016.
Markus Vogl: Born in Wels in 1981. Currently studying for a Master’s Degrees in Networks & Security and Bioinformatics/AI at JKU. Professionally working on various software topics – architecture, engineering, testing and security.
