Android application, 2011-12.
Northern Ireland's geography is still highly politicised in spite of the relative peace of recent years. Urban and rural areas are religiously segregated and there is still tension between the two communities. There are now more "Peace Walls" dividing people than before the Good Friday Agreement and many sites still visibly bear the scars of violent incidents from years before.
One way people show solidarity, mark their territory, and express identity is through the display of flags. As such, colour is an important signifier of political allegiance. The words Orange or Green when applied to a person or area take on political or social significance. By using a strict series of gradients determined by latitude and longitude values rather than the demographics of an area, the "in N.I." app converts any given point in Northern Ireland into a new colour. This colour is joined by its contrasting colour at all times (reflecting the two communities living together).
While this app is predominantly about dispassionately creating a new colour map for Northern Ireland, at 124 sites across the British Isles the app will respond directly to that location's significance in the Troubles. The animation changes from slowly intersecting circles to rapidly flashing squares and the date of the incident in question appears on screen. No other details are given (about victims or group responsible, for example). It is left up to the user if they want to conduct their own search for the particular event.
Created while UK & Ireland Resident at Digital Arts Studios, Belfast
Polygon: the app will function fully here
App Screengrabs
colour gradients: background -left, foreground -right
example gradients (Belfast): background and foreground colours