In the first part, this paper will outline Wi-Fi development after 2000 and how different cities planned their city-wide Wi-Fi infrastructure. Then, I will discuss the previous Wi-Fi artworks which reflect the social and cultural background and political intention. Besides artworks introduction, I will cite “house society” theory in anthropology to explain why I apply house as Wi-Fi metaphor as Wi-Fi’s image and role in this project. House is important material/immaterial object which help its members to shape their identity by tangible/intangible way.
In methodology section, my fieldwork and collection method will be introduced, At the same time, Conceptual metaphor comes from linguistic and philosophical study and it was applied to discuss how we imagine our invisible concepts or object by tangible or clear objects according to our cultural background. Conceptual metaphor is helpful for us to create urban wifi image and explain what the images mean.
I will also describe how this project translate unique MAC address (or BSSID) of Wi-Fi access points into web colours. This is more technical and it is important to explore how Intnernet-related technology has the similar features and concepts.
After methodology, this part will introduce the cities background which I have my fieldwork on. This paper will create tables to compare the infrastructure in different cities and conclude mapping principles according to conceptual metaphor and house societies study.
In artworks part. I will explain the works on web pages and performance in the real world. For web page, I will introduce php and mysql which are not only tools but also the logical/signifying ways to create the artwork. Open systems and John Cage will be engaged with the performance and interpret how the behaviour and environment change us from human beings to cyborg.
The conclusion will review the theories and artworks. This section will confirm artworks are both representation and analytical productions and they also are political movement which interact with our society.
