Artists Statement

Keywords: augmented reality, police, cops, cop, network, public space, community, occupy, panopticism, Portland, DC, NYC, Cleveland, Chicago

PolyCopRiotNode_ is a site-specific, augmented reality public artwork that is accessed via an Android or iOS app. Each PolyCopRiotNode_ location is surrounded by 2 story tall riot police. In the most recent installation, in Portland, Oregon, polyCopRiotNodes surrounded public spaces and areas of potential protest. PolyCopRiotNode_ makes visible what is ordinarily invisible: suspension of potential community and arrest of non-commercial uses of space. PolyCopRiotNode_NYC, launching in 2/2015 at bronxartspace, will feature NYPD nodes occupying all of of NYC.

PolyCopRiotNode_ was conceived and developed in line with a learned understanding that activity outside the priorities and value systems of capitalism, whether intervention, occupation, or simple cultural production involves a response by police. The name of this work, polyCopRiotNode_ suggests that it is a network of instances, of a class of power paradigms and hyperactive ideologies. In each implementation of this project, a network of polyCop augments are situated/revealed in specific geolocations based on our research of local activity.
In February 2015, PolyCopRiotNode_NYC will be displayed at bronxartspace in NYC, USA. In July 2014, PolyCopRiotNode_portland was hosted by Weird Shift Storefront.
In 2013 PolyCopRiotNode_DC was implemented as part of Washington Project for the Arts Experimental Media Series, “Cyber In Securities,” in Washington, DC curated by Lisa Moren. PolyCopRiotNode was also exhibited at Spaces gallery in Cleveland, OH, USA.

Map of PolyCopRiotNode_Locations

Video: CH2 polyCopRiotNode_ park tests

• Adam Trowbridge (born 1972, San Diego, CA, USA) received an MFA in Electronic Visualization from the University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL (2008) and a BFA in Sculpture and Painting from the University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL (1996). Trowbridge is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Contemporary Practices at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Prior to his academic appointment, Trowbridge worked professionally for national and international organizations in a range of capacities including Information Architect, Creative Director, Web Programmer, Director of Project Management, and Blackboard Online Learning System Administrator. Both Adam Trowbridge and Jessica Westbrook grew up in suburban Orlando, FL. They have been working together since meeting in high school in 1990. Oskar Westbridge, a dotcom inspired baby, joined the scene in Y2K. Channel TWo (CH2) was launched in 2010 as a means to decompartmentalize everyday life and channel their shared interests and activities in new media practices.
• Jessica Parris Westbrook (born 1974, Pittsburgh, PA, USA) received an MFA in Photography from Temple University, Tyler School of Art, Philadelphia, PA (1998) and a BFA in Photography from the University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL (1996). Westbrook is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Contemporary Practices at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL (2010-present). Her prior academic appointment, Assistant Professor of Graphic Design and Photography and Media Art (a dual appointment) was at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Chattanooga, TN (2008-2010). Before taking an interest in higher education and learning, Westbrook worked in the internet, product design, and advertising industries with her expertise being ui/ux front end development and visual communications. She has worked professionally as a Creative Director, Interactive Design Director, and Web Developer. Both Adam Trowbridge and Jessica Westbrook grew up in suburban Orlando, FL. They have been working together since meeting in high school in 1990. Oskar Westbridge, a dotcom inspired baby, joined the scene in Y2K. Channel TWo (CH2) was launched in 2010 as a means to decompartmentalize everyday life and channel their shared interests and activities in new media practices.

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