BT_Graffiti I Mausoleum 5
interactive Bluetooth installation by Petko Durmana

Artist’s statement
This project proposes to virtually recast the lost physical space of the Mausoleum to Georgi Dimitrov in the gallery space of Red House in Sofia.

The Mausoleum used to be the most remarkable public symbol during the Communistic period in Bulgaria. It was build in front of the former king's palace as an official alternative of the political structure before the WW II and the palace was transformed into National Art Gallery. The space between the Mausoleum and the National Art Gallery (former palace) was used for manifestation where on every important for the Communists Party date the citizens and the army demonstrated their loyalty to the elite of the party, staying on the specially prepared balcony on the Mausoleum.

The Mausoleum was very solidly built and survived a few explosions before being pulled down when a post-communistic government decided to demolish it in 1999.

Using Bluetooth technology embedded in many mobile communication devices, visitors who are carrying mobile phones for example will be automatically invited to receive a series of visual and audio fragments which recreate the space of the former Mausoleum.
They can not only receive but also add content on place via their phones or on a specially set up computer station.

Using this mobile and accessible networking technology (PAN Personal Area Network) offers do-it-yourself possibilities for virtually rebuild and personally maintaining this lost space important in history and memory. This new common technology is highly open for communication and in this sense can be likened to graffiti. As graffiti in public space confronts passers-by with intentional messages, this work addresses notions of public space vs. personal imagination and representations of time and space visually and virtually.

Format
Series of videos, digital images and audio works that are transmitted to viewers on their own portable Bluetooth enabled devices. An installed computer station will transmit the pieces.
An information card (postcard format) will be distributed at the site and throughout the city prior to the installation.

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