UNDERGROUND BUTTONS, 2002-2003

This project relates to the underground network of Paris. The image above represents a typical wagon door push button, and the English translation of the phrase is "Press to open". The project itself consists in the use of this button as a universal message board, which is obtained only by textual modifications in the original message, while the general appearance of the object is preserved. The messages I inserted, highly incoherent to such an object, try to destabilize for a moment the routine journeys of the passengers. Even if most of them already know the original text on the button and don't try to read it each time, they however look at when pushing it, so the door opens and they have to leave in the same time they notice the modification. This doesn't leave them much time face to this text, which contributes to its somewhat hallucinatory nature. What also seemed to be interesting in such a miniature space is precisely the mimicry permitted by its size, and this particularity is essential when executing unauthorized projects in public space, especially the underground networks, since there is a great chance that an artistic intervention wont be visible the day following its execution thanks to the accuracy of the maintenance teams.

[English translation of the messages on "mouse- over" action]