Un-cloud your files in cement! ‘Dead Drops’ is an anonymous, offline, peer to peer file-sharing network in public space.
‘Dead Drops’ is an anonymous, offline, peer to peer file-sharing network in public space. USB flash drives are embedded into walls, buildings and curbs accessible to anybody in public space. Everyone is invited to drop or find files on a dead drop. Plug your laptop to a wall, house or pole to share your favorite files and data. Each dead drop is installed empty except a readme.txt file explaining the project. ‘Dead Drops’ is open to participation. If you want to install a dead drop in your city/neighborhood follow the ‘how to’ instructions and submit the location and pictures.
I am a Berlin based media artist and started the ‘Dead Drops’ project during my stay in NYC at EYEBEAM as artist in residence, October 2010. Dead Drops was part of the show “Talk to Me” at the MoMa July-Nov 2011.
Aram Bartholl 2010
Dead Drops ‘How to’ video
The first 5 Dead Drops were installed by Aram Bartholl in NYC, Oct. 2010.
Prefer YouTube? -> youtube.com/watch?v=hwohadcUv4A
- Definition of the term Dead drop (Wikipedia)
- Initial Dead Drops preview release post (with 300++ hilarious comments!)
- 1st 5 Dead Drops NYC flickr set
DeadDrops database
Database browsing full size window
The first 5 Dead Drops were installed by Aram Bartholl in NYC, October 2010
87 3rd Avenue, Brooklyn, NY (Makerbot)
Empire Fulton Ferry Park, Brooklyn, NY (Dumbo)
235 Bowery, NY (New Museum)
Union Square, NY (Subway Station 14th St)
540 West 21st Street, NY (Eyebeam)
295 responses to “About”
Great idea! However, I think there should also be more information on the web like if the drive is a high-voltage boobie-trap or not. If there is a way to communicate with others (other than messaging via the USB-drive), it should be possible to make wishes and offers and make this movement dynamic, i.e. finally screwing the assholes from the entertainment industry.
I wish some liberal communities follow this idea and officially install USB-drives in public places.
How are the NYC drops going to respond to a winter of road salt and ice ?
I would love to install one but the council would remove it
Great Idea ! I’ll try to add one :-)
nifty idea! I like it very much.