FREE INTERNET COFFEE
The "FREE INTERNET CAFÉ" is a concept stand that gives out excellent Coffee free of charge and invites Visitors to interact with me and each other Off- and Online. I will use business models and communication methods that apply to Internet Companies and be in direct competition with the traditional Museum Café. The word "free" has a twisted meaning in Internet Economy as something is free, even though you pay with your personal information and create revenue by looking at advertisement.
(old version)
Cafés started as places for information exchange, and have always been used as places to read the paper, send postcards home, play traditional or electronic games, chat to friends and find out local information. In a Museum it is often the only constant in an environment of changing artworks, but it is not seen as Art per se. In the manner of Rirkrit Tiravanija, who was cooking Pad Thai and giving it out for free, I will be making coffee and elevate the space, the act of brewing and consuming it to a form of Art. In contrast to Tiravanija I collect personal Information and Advertise to get some revenue, because this is how big internet companies use the word "free".
I examine questions of Offline and Online Conversations and how they can intersect in a Café environment. Another Interest lies in the word "free" in Internet Economy. The revenue model of most of todays Internet Companies run solely on Advertisement and collecting Data and selling it. Another popular option is creating free software, but charging money for necessary extras (Milk?).
I will be experimenting with different forms of interactions with possible visitors in the upcoming weeks.
Technical Infrastructure
- Power Strip (min. 5 Outlets)
- Table
- Access to Tap Water (not necessarily on the table)
- Maybe reserve part of the Café tables (unclear at this moment)
- Set Up Time: ~1 hour before
- Duration: 2-5 hours
I need to see the Café Stage at HKW a couple weeks in advance to get a clear vision for the design and function of the stand. The Coffee and Equipment will either be paid for by myself (Kreativfond / Donations) or I will find a sponsor.
I would be happy to work on this together, so if you like the idea and want to contribute, please feel free to contact me m.schaefer@uni-weimar.de