Mixed Messages Bra

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8 LED arrays (5x7 pixels each), mounted on a black bra
Custom control hardware and software

2004

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A performance art piece, challenging the viewer to NOT look at the blinky light-up message on the model's cleavage. The entire animated scrolling message moves very slowly, and reads:

"DO NOT LOOK ... LOOK ... LOOK ... AT MY TITS ... TITS ... TITS   /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/"

As a twisted social experiment, I wore this to a variety of events, with mixed results. Some people became embarrassed when the message rolled back around to the "DO NOT" part. Some people were surprised to learn that female engineers do exist, and that I had intentionally made this for myself.

In 2006, this bra was included in Dave Barry's annual list of "comically unnecessary holiday gifts for people, to reciprocate for the comically unnecessary gifts that you know they're going to give to you."

More recently, this piece was recognized in "Disobedient Electronics: Protest," a booklet about subversive electronic art, curated by Garnet Hertz in early 2017.

video

The clip below demonstrates one full loop for the animated message.

 

Other examples of Janet Hansen's wearable LED work can be seen at enlighted.com.