I love Arom Bartholl’s latest project - it infuses computing with urban space. I also appreciate the project’s equalist approach - anyone with a USB enabled device can shared files! It’s quite subversive in its practicalness. Since I’m in NYC I want to try this out before it gets too cold. I’ll report back on my experience.  - tricia

Aram’s description of his project:

I am pleased to preview ‘Dead Drops’ a new project which I started off as part of my ongoing EYEBEAM residency in NYC the last couple weeks. ‘Dead Drops’ is an anonymous, offline, peer to peer file-sharing network in public space. I am ‘injecting’ USB flash drives into walls, buildings and curbs accessable to anybody in public space. You are invited to go to these places (so far 5 in NYC) 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 contains a readme.txt file explaining the project. ‘Dead Drops’ is still in progress, to be continued here and in more cities. Full documentation, movie, map and ‘How to make your own dead drop’ manual coming soon! Stay tuned.

Dead drop (Wikipedia)

In the meanwhile drop some files here!

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)

bashford:

‘Dead Drops’ is an anonymous, offline, peer to peer file-sharing network in public space. Aram Barthol is ‘injecting’ USB flash drives into walls, buildings and curbs accessable to anybody in public space. You are invited to go to these places (so far 5 in NYC) to leave or find files on a dead drop. Plug your laptop to a wall, house or pole to share your files and date.