About


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

DeadDrops database

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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)

Dead Drops picture set on flickr

Dead Drops picture set on flickr

295 responses to “About”

  1. worst fucking techno-hipster idea i’ve ever heard, within a day it’ll be filled with amateur porn, child porn, or viruses

    • What do you honestly think will be accomplished with this? The internet is as free to use as this is (go to the library), and this is far less secure than any file sharing around. Not to mention that this isn’t P2P at all, or the fact that weather conditions will ruin your drive, or worse, someone’s laptop.

      “But woah, I can totally share my band’s music on this”. Yeah, or you could upload it to one of the many free websites that are built around doing just this. That way, you wont’ have to trek down to the subway and occupy the payphone while you upload.

      If I want to share files with people, I’ll upload it somewhere, or give them my email address, and I’ll send it more directly. I’m not going to waste a flash drive and mighty-putty it to the bottom of a payphone.

      I just don’t see the value of this.

      • You simply don’t understand.. This is a new way of sharing files and interests, less impersonal and more phisical.. nowadays if you want a file you just have to type the search in the browser, and 2 seconds later you find what you’re looking for. This won’t replace the p2p, is just a good idea to surprise people who are walking in the streets, and spread innovation.

        • It’s not innovation.
          It’s not P2P.
          It’s not anything new.

          It’s just another way for hipsters to plug in their Macs, and scream “INOVASHIUN” all day.

          I hope somebody creates one with 110V as output.

          • Everyone has a right to their own opinions. If you don’t like the idea, then don’t participate. There is no need to be rude or hateful. What does that accomplish? No one is telling you to like it. I think this is a good idea but I respect the fact that you don’t agree.

    • This hole debate here about child porn and other illegal stuff and risks ist just bullshit!

      First off this idea is great and because of some idiots sharing illegals stuff, it shouldnt be stopped. Second these guys also wouldnt drop off at a public spot. PPL do these stuff anonymously on the net not on a public spot where they can get taped by some cctv or get caught by some feds.

      Cheers

  2. I like the idea!, retro mixed with modern.

    To the complainers, thats the problem with the world now, ‘everything is dangerous’, wrap everything in cotton wool.

    I could buy a fork and stab someone with it, yet I can also eat my lunch with it. Get a life!

  3. i´m trying to install one in germany tonight but maybe i have to deal with epoxy putty
    i´ll try my best