Sublime Gadgets

BACKGROUND This research sought to expose the dubious role of gadgets in contemporary life - examples of conspicuous consumption, the principle discernible function of which is to provide spectacle and titillation by exploiting the latest technological innovations. By harnessing the notion of the romantic sublime combined with irony, 'Sublime Gadgets' aims to encourage contemplation on these observations by significantly expanding the lifespan of the gadget CONTRIBUTION The Sublime has been extensively explored in philosophy, literature and the fine arts. Here, Auger employs its ability to inspire awe and wonder within the domain of domestic products, instilling new values and interactions, aiming to concretise 'pleasures of the imagination' (Addison); the infinity of time and space (Shaftsbury); agreeable kinds of horror (Addison); and randomness found in nature and the management of life and death. The artefacts include a device designed to record and display the Moon's divergence from the Earth; a device committed to the relentless task of counting ripples on a lake; and a device that displays information about potentially hazardous asteroids SIGNIFICANCE At a time when there is an increased awareness of the need to more sustainable approaches to consumption (Harrison et al. 2005, Barnett et al. 2010), this research offers a new perspective on gadgets: once the spectacle becomes familiar, the gadget loses its value and becomes an ephemeral artefact. This work has been included in numerous exhibitions, including 'Science Art 3 Exhibition' Moscow, 2013, and featured in TAR magazine, 2013.