conducts creative, participatory research that aims to temporarily transform public spaces dominated by non-public agendas. Using performance and conversation, we investigate social and political "tiny things".
These have included corporate ads, street names, and post-9/11 security terminology. The Institute markets dissent through its research reports in the form of maps, books and videos.
Contact: info@infinitelysmallthings.net
Subscribe to the Institute email list
THE CITY FORMERLY KNOWN AS CAMBRIDGE
PRICE: $5
MAP DIMENSIONS: 27" x 32" FOLD: 4.5" x 9"
PROJECT INFO
THE WORKING IS THE WORK
2008. The Institute relieves various ICA laborers. While they go on a paid break the Institute does their jobs. Presented in conjunction with the exhibition "The World as a Stage". Performance schedule: Thursdays - Feb 28, Mar 27, Apr 24; 6:30 - 8:30 PM at the ICA Boston.
Everything is in Order
2008. Performances at the DeCordova museum as part of the 2008 DeCordova Annual Exhibition. Also featured will be installations of Corporate Commands, Unmarked Package, The New American Dictionary, and Transferring Patriotism.
THE CITY FORMERLY KNOWN AS CAMBRIDGE
2006-8. What would the city look like if we could rename all of our public spaces, right now? The Institute invited members of the public to RENAME places in Cambridge, MA, for the 2008 publication of a new map of "The City Formerly Known as Cambridge".
Unmarked Package
2007. The Institute toted hundred packages (marked "UNMARKED PACKAGE") around Chicago sites including the South Side, Daley Plaza, Millennium Park, Little Village, Douglas Park and Hyde Park. We interviewed the public about insecurity and fear in public spaces and produced a video research report.
The New American dictionary
2006. This dictionary catalogs over 60 terms related to fear and security which have entered American English since 9/11, including new terms ("freedom fries", "islamofascist") and old terms which have been redefined ("torture").
The dictionary is available on amazon.com for $19.95.
free fear from usa
2007. A reverse shoplifting experiment to bring American fear & insecurity to Canadian bookstores. The Institute for Infinitely Small Things deposited over 40 copies of the self-published "New American Dictionary: Security/Fear Edition" into Vancouver bookstores & educational institutions.
corporate commands
2004 - present. Performances of corporate commands (ads in the imperative) where they occur in the urban landscape. We try to perform each command as literally as possible. There have been more than 15 performances of corporate commands in the U.S. and Canada in public and private urban spaces.
57 things to do for free in harvard square
2005. A video guidebook that presents 57 things that someone can do for leisure, entertainment, enjoyment or relaxation in Harvard Square, but none of them involve money. Designed for public video screens above the tourist kiosk in Harvard Square.
transferring patriotism
(proposed) The Institute for Infinitely Small Things is selling its patriotism to any interested buyers. Once the sale is made, the full transfer of our patriotism to you will occur via a performance. This can only occur if both parties are fully intoxicated.
how do you take your coffee/kakvu pijeŠ kafu?
(Seeking funding) A proposal to do five public performances to research the "development" and "modernization" accompanying the rise of the tourism economy in Podgorica, Montenegro, a country on track to be part of the EU.
