Series Foreword ix
Acknowledgments xi
Beginnings An Introduction to the DIY Mindset 1
0.1 A History of Electronic Art in the Twentieth Century 21
0.2 A Definition of DIY: Do + It + Yourself 43
Theme 1 Frugal Innovations 61
1.1 Frugality and the Demanufacturing Machine: Zombie Technology,
Bricolage, and Hype Cycles 67
1.2 Frugality and Telephonic Arm-Wrestling: Jugaad, Finances, and Function
83
1.3 Frugality and the Toaster Project: Technical Disorientation, Device
Paradigms, and Highlowness 97
Theme 2 Exploring Technologies 109
2.1 Exploration and the Incantor: Bending Circuits, Depunctualization, and
Unblackboxing 119
2.2 Exploration and Wire Figures: Technologies, Interactivity, and Radio
Shack Cybernetics 133
2.3 Exploration and 20 Oscillators in 20 Minutes: Technological
Performance, Hedonization, and the Thrill of Impending Failure 145
Theme 3 Building Identities 155
3.1 Identity and Taratter MI-03: Device Art, Chindogu, and Alternative
Presents 161
3.2 Identity and the Barbie Liberation Organization: Culture Jamming,
Technical Detournement, and Mediagenics 173
3.3 Identity and the Stock Market Skirt: Gender, Telerobotics, and Clothing
as Conversation 185
Theme 4 Anti-institutional Disobedience 199
4.1 Disobedience and Robot K-456: Wabi-sabi, Electronic Arte Povera, and
Beautiful Mistakes 209
4.2 Disobedience and Hairbrain 2000: Burlesque Technologies, Highlowness,
and Neoretroism 221
4.3 Disobedience and Feral Robotic Dogs: Hardware Activism, Communities,
and Planned Obsolescence 235
Theme 5 Selling Out and Graffitiwriter 245
Conclusions The DIY Mindset 259
Notes 269
Index 309
