GMU:The Unstrument/Andrea Rüthel

PARANORMAL

Starting point of this work in progress is the term "normality", which is increasingly used by structurally right-wing groups for declaring extreme political ideas mainstream.

Following the instructions which I found either online or in literature, I am rebuilding several pseudo-scientific devices that are usually used for detecting or uncovering so called "paranormal activities". Most devices are easy to build, handy, suitable for all-day use when needed.

The project can be understood as an ironic commentary on the usurpation of a vague concept like "normality"/"standard".

Electrostatic field detector (LED)

This an electrostatic field detector (a.k.a. as "V-Scope") that uses a common antenna to repond to ambient electrical fields. The LED glows brightly when positive charge approaches and becomes dimmer or blinks when negative charge comes in contact.

Construction manuals

"How To Build Your Own Ghost Detector " V-Scope Pt. 2 [1]

REAL Ghost Detector [2]

Make a ghost detector. [3]

Nonstandard photography

"Many types of light have frequencies too high or too low for the human eye to detect. [...] A number of specialized photography techniques have been devised to work with different light frequencies to make the invisible visible." (Delton T. Horn)

One of those techniques is known as "Kirlian photography". In a Kirlian photograph, subjects are surrounded by colorful auras, which indicate their inner state on a physical, mental, and spiritual level. A paranormal research group will be asked to read the photographs.

Construction manuals

Horn, Delton T.: "21st-century electronic projects for a new age", 1992