Putting a Face on Wireless Signals

Luis Hernan captures electromagnetic signals using a device associated with detecting paranormal activities for the series Digital Ethereal. Adopting a technique called electrography, the PhD student from Newcastle University’s School of Architecture used an instrument known for capturing electrical coronal discharges called a Kirlian Device. Attached to it is an Arduino UNO board and an Arduino WiFi shield which measures the strength of the wireless signals and translates it into a spectrum of colors on a strip of LEDs. By swinging the contraption around from 5 to 15 minutes and using long exposure lens, he was able to capture the mesmerizing auras generated by wifi. Though the technicolor images are mesmerizing, Hernan’s ultimate goal serves a higher purpose: “If I hear the sound quality diminishing I know there’s something going on. You try to adapt to it, but there’s really no way to know what’s going on. When you actually make this information visible, you at least have the opportunity to adapt these technologies to their specific needs.”