You can easily find pictures of international landmarks on Google Images, but this is only possible with online access. Greetings From the Internet is an compelling project that captures the keys to the World Wide Web, as they pertain to private networks that the artist encountered on his travels.
Aram Bartholl emphasizes the moment of human connection that's often chosen as the means to communicate a particular WiFi password to a visitor. Alphanumeric combinations are frequently scribbled onto scraps of paper or written on chalk boards in cafes, hostels and tourist centers. The artist photographed these and printed them into postcards.
Greetings From the Internet stationery frames a very different part and perspective of a globetrotter's experience, filled with subtle cues about the place and the people with whom the sender has interacted.
WiFi Password Postcards
Greetings From the Internet Records the Private Settings of Faraway Places
Trend Themes
1. Physical-digital Merging - Art projects that blend physical and digital elements, such as Greetings From the Internet, are gaining attention.
2. Personalized Tourist Souvenirs - Greetings From the Internet exemplifies a new trend towards personalized, locally-sourced souvenirs.
3. Offline Social Connection - WiFi Password Postcards highlight the importance of offline social connection, even when traveling abroad.
Industry Implications
1. Travel Industry - Greetings From the Internet presents an opportunity for the travel industry to offer unique, locally-sourced souvenirs with a personal touch.
2. Photography Industry - Projects such as Greetings From the Internet showcase the art potential of photography, which could be leveraged by photographers looking to make a statement in a crowded industry.
3. Digital Security Industry - The prevalence of WiFi passwords written on scraps of paper could be an opportunity for the digital security industry to create a solution for secure sharing of network credentials, potentially leveraging blockchain technology.