When a person enters a stall, they are greeted by a sign, encouraging them to submit a message via SMS to be displayed on the men’s and women’s bathroom walls. Instantly after submission, the user’s message is added to the collage and can be seen in both bathrooms. The messages are completely anonymous, unable to be identified by name, phone number or gender.

This was a fun project to work on and learned a lot not only about programing such systems but also fabrication and installation.

Asking to take someones photograph in the analog era was an engaging intimate experience, at least for me. I would connect with and learn about the people I was photographing. There was a mutual respect and people were genuinely enthused because they weren’t asked to be photographed very often. I would introduce myself and ask them if I could photograph them and more often then not they would reply with “Why?” or “What is it for?” a response that came from curiosity and not skepticism.

Now with a camera in everyones pocket and all of our moves being documented on Instagram and other social media platforms we have become desensitized to this kind of imagery. Most people dont care to question why they are being photographed.

I few days ago I decided to take a walk with my camera and take a few street portraits. I hadn’t done this in a while and was interested in seeing what kind of results I would get. I asked a few people if I could photograph them and all of them agreed. However no one really questioned or cared why I was photographing them they just wanted to know where they would end up or wanted to see what I had shot on the camera. Most were a variation of “Are you posting this on Instagram/blog/facebook?”. This is something I would never get asked in the pre digital era, and I liked not knowing what the photograph looked like, where it was going, or if it was even good. I liked that mystery and the sense of discovery when going through the negatives and finding a shot I remembered being really excited about taking. I also liked the connection I felt with people and the conversations I had, they weren’t clouded with a narcissistic desire to see how good your photo came out or what social media platform your images would end up on.

Anyway, I’m not really sure where I’m going with all this…here are two photos from that walk I took.

Here are some Vines that I have created. If you havent already, download the app and follow me @atifateeq.

I received it about a month ago, the day of the blizzard, and thought that was a perfect opportunity to step out and take some test shots. I was pretty impressed with the quality of imagery, in my opinion this is the perfect point and shoot camera. Yes, its a bit pricey but definitely worth it. I’ve been using it for about a month now and have had no complaints at all.

Every first Saturday of the month Taget partners up with the Brooklyn Museum and throws a series of events throughout the day. Everything from performances to interactive workshops, talks, and exhibits are part of the schedule. I try and stop by every few months.

The Himanshu show was great, pretty much ended up being a DR show minus Vic tied in with a Greenhead showcase. Pretty fun range of performances if this is what you are into.

Additionally the current Mickalene Thomas “Origin of the Universe” exhibit is super dope. That showing alone is definitely worth the visit.

I hadn’t been to the Armory before and was amazed that a space this large even existed for single large scale project in the middle of New York City. A giant piece of white cloth hung in the middle of this enormous room which was constantly moving by visitors swaying back on forth on about three dozen swings. Every moving part seemed to be in unison, dancing together like a perfect melody.

I’ve been thinking a lot about user engagement and interactivity, mostly in the digital space, but seeing this completely analog piece inviting thousands of people to participate was so refreshing. Everyone in the room was mesmerized.

This piece only works because of its scale, one swing attached to a smaller piece of cloth would not have been effective at all. To those of you that doubt that bigger is better, go to the Armory and see for yourself. The exhibit closes on the 6th, so I suggest you leave right now!

I finally got around to posting #BASHTRAY into my portfolio. Check it out here.

#Bashtray was a project that came out of Catherine Dillon’s ‘Fun Theory’ class. We were asked to create a project that used ‘fun’ as a motivator to changed peoples behavior in a positive way. We tackled the problems of cigarette butt littering, and within days we had a prototype hanging outside of the Tisch building.

Here it is in action and for more information check it out in the Portfolio section.

It’s a pretty high stress moment, everyone is exhausted, hungry and ready to get to the after-party, but somehow we all give it one last push and get it done.

A few of us went up to the 5th floor to get chairs that were temporarily stored there. Nick found a piano one of the classrooms.

We continued to move the chairs downstairs to Nick playing the piano.

Then Robbie joined Nick and that is when I took this photo. I love this photo.

When the floor is back, up and running, we take a group photo.

We then headed to Williamsburg to the after-party at Public Assembly. We mark the true end of the semester by drinking and dancing with each other. (All afterparty photos below were shot by Max Ma)

I remember going to shows like this, that use strange instruments to play strange sounds and was never really able to wrap me head around what was happening. Always walking away from the experience somewhat unsatisfied and disinterested. Now, after being at ITP for over a year and a half, I understand the concept and technology involved and have a great appreciation for it. Music has never been made like this before and it’s really inspiring to see how far we can push what is available to us to create what we want.

Here are a few photos from the show and then some from my walk back in a wet, desolate Williamsburg.

Swing by, this one’s gonna be dope!

Ali was working on a 100 hand pressed ‘Save the Date’ card for a friends wedding. I sat there while he explained every step of the process and by the end of it was convinced to that I wanted to take a class. This particular shop offers a 6 hour class on a Sunday that certifies you to use the machines. Something to do over winter break.

Ali’s work is outstanding, he recently created a set of tarot cards that were really well designed and clean. You can see them and more of his work on his website.

• Find the intersection between what you love to do and what you are good at. The rest will figure itself out.
• If you can fit in bringing good to the world in that equation, you will win.
• Sometime you start to think that you love doing something just because you are good at it. This is a strange place to get stuck.
• Today, more than ever, you have the ability to create your own job You really can do whatever you want. You just have to go IN!
• Unfortunately it’s just not that simple. All the reasons you don’t pursue what you think is your path, are legitimate fears.
• The risk is huge and time goes fast.
• Still, I see no other way.

DOWNLOAD WILD WATER KINGDOM