![\"Semaphore](\"http:\/\/www.zoebachman.net\/itp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Semaphore-Jacket.jpg\")
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I want to make a rain jacket that has LED semaphore flags sewn onto the sleeves. I\u2019ve been thinking a lot about the refugee crisis, and the recent email to the ITP4SC got me thinking about how we can design things…. In my brainstorm I thought about how refugees and their allies are trying to communicate the idea of “we come in peace” and the different ways one could non-verbally illustrate that…like the act of waving a white flag. Communicating with flags reminded me of semaphors, which seems somewhat appropriate given that most refugees are crossing via boats and it’s a maritime communication form. I did some research and found out that the peace sign actually came from the semaphor letters N and D (for nuclear disarmament), circumscribed by a circle. I also learned that semaphore is a programming term relating to control of access – quite appropriate, given the current discussions surrounding quotas – or straight up refusal to let refugees into a country.<\/p>\n
The jacket would have the flags at the bottom of the sleeves, so a person could move their arms to communicate in semaphore. The LEDs are off unless the switch is turned on, which I\u2019m thinking about doing\u00a0with a \u00a0zipper pull or a snap.<\/p>\n
Obviously, this is not necessarily the best design or object for someone living through this predicament. I more see it as a symbolic way to speak to the current situation, the difficulties we still encounter with communication\/understanding, which I found leads to a lack of empathy for those we see as\u00a0\u201cothers\u201d. Semaphores is a sort of ridiculous way to actually communicate, yet if we think about crossing over into a foreign land – perhaps universal, visual languages can be a tool.<\/p>\n
Something about the jacket feels like it could work as a costume for a performance piece\u2026rows or people in a public space doing choreographed semaphore messages about peace.<\/p>\n
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I want to make a rain jacket that has LED semaphore flags sewn onto the sleeves. I\u2019ve been thinking a lot about the refugee crisis, and the recent email to the ITP4SC got me thinking about how we can design … Continue reading <\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"