Touch of the network can be seen as a lighthouse and also as an island in the network between things – the Internet. Objects in this network function also as baits, being open to communication from automated processes, from bots, to communication between machines that is inevitable upon entering the network. Motives of these communicative acts are mostly non-transparent and therefore unknown. Each request from a robot, a touch of the network, triggers the searchlight on surveyors tripod to orient itself and reflect back light towards the physical location where it is being targeted from over the networks.

The artwork is part of series of artworks called Subocean Botlights which departs from the fact that most of intercontinental communication relies heavily on the submarine fiber optic cables. This network carries threads of light as thin as tenth of human hair while being as existential to technological societies as the sun is for the plants. We are hanging by a thread while the artificial sun rays plunge through the oceans and light up our faces via bright screens.Touch of the network can be seen as a lighthouse and also as an island in the network between things – the Internet. Objects in this field also function as baits, being open to communication from automated processes, from bots, to communication between machines that is inevitable upon entering the network. Motives of these acts of communication are mostly non-transparent and therefore unknown. Each request from a robot, a touch of the network, triggers the searchlight on surveyors tripod to orient itself and reflect back light towards the physical location where it is being targeted from over the networks.

The surveyors tripod is re-cycled. The light box and the construction to hold it is custom made by hand to my design. Some elements (like the acrylic and plywood layers) have been laser cut. The electronic and digital systems controlling the object I built as needed.The work also has a video part where the object is being filmed functioning in different environments. I am always eager to film it again in new contexts to make it more site specific.

The work consists of searchlamp mounted to a surveyors tripod + 4K video showing the object functioning in some environment. It is best to exhibit both of these together. The tripod is about 220cm in height when fully extended and requires min 400x400cm area to have enough spacing. It weights about 10kg. It requires electricity. The 4K video can be projected or shown in a 4K capable TV set. If space allows then I would prefer the projection. The exhibition space needs to be quite dark and/or needs separation from other works bleeding in their light.Material list:9:16 light box on top of surveyors tripod, electronics, mobile broadband SIM with public static IP. Looping 4K video. The SIM card needs to be provided by the inviting institution.