Test Park: Exploring the Nation's Technology Reserves
By: Jenny Rodenhouse. Advisors: Tim Durfee & Ben Hooker. Writing Advisors: Shannon Herbert & Mimi Zeiger. Adjunct Advisors: Christina Agapakis & Alan Koch Lab 2015 MFA Thesis. Media Design Practices Art Center College of Design. Pasadena, CA.
Test Park examines the test site, the creation of place, and the use of public test sites as a critical design tool. Test Park explores three test sites at various scales: Islands & Monuments; Corridors & Cul-de-sacs; Seeds & Genes, and forms of public engagement: politics, tourism, and participation. The paper constructs a place called Test Park from a collection of existing test sites found throughout the United States. Through a series of fictional narratives Test Park speculates the cultural implications of each site's public expansion. Each installment plays out the public test site, guiding the reader around their interactions with the rules, architectures, tools, and staff in Test Park.
Paper Excerpts
To: National Test Park
From: joannela@gmail.com
Subject: Test Park UAV bird migration interference
To Whom is May Concern,
I'm sure you are well of aware, but your Test Park Red Knot counting UAV seems to be interrupting the Red Knot spring migration.
Best,
The Bird Migration Research Group
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From: National Test Park
To: joannela@gmail.com
Subject: [Auto Reply: This email does not accept incoming messages] Re: Test Park UAV bird migration interference
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To: National Test Park
From: elorenz@gmail.com
Subject: The Weather Modification Sites of Test Park
Yes, you can change the weather. You can make it do something different from what it would otherwise have done. But if you did, then you would never know what it would otherwise have done.
- Edward Lorenz
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From: National Test Park
From: elorenz@gmail.com
Subject: [Auto Reply: This email does not accept incoming messages] Re: The Weather Modification Sites of Test Park
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From: National Test Park
To: All Test Park Subscribers
Subject: Email Automation Testing: Test Park Official Digital Outreach Announcement #4591
Go Test Park Tours: The National Test Park includes some of the most amazing and innovative technology found in the United States – if not the world!
Visit Test Park and we will show you the national test parks like no one else! On some tours, you can even stay inside the park*. Plus, Test Park introduces you to hidden gems, such as the A. Leaky Future of Food Production Farm of Savoy, Illinois that simulates end of the world food growing conditions using the latest end of the world data. The fields feature future droughts, heat waves, extra carbon dioxide, heat-trapping gases, human activity pollutants, car emissions, power station emissions, corrosive pollutants, ozone, and an array of chemical sensors. The air mixture generates an atmosphere that will be found in years to come!
We can't wait to introduce you to these incredible sights and experiences! For more information about the National Test Park Foundation, please visit www.testparks.org.
Sincerely,
Test Park
The futures you see might be closer than they appear!
*Only certain places apply
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Notice Caption:
The Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope has been defaced.
This act of vandalism occurred between Friday 8:00pm - Saturday 12:00pm.
If anyone has any information please contact Sheriff David Jonese immediately.
304-456-2011
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To: National Test Park
From: johnthanclay@gmail.com
Subject: The Virginia Tech “Smart Road”
On January 22, while commuting to work I experienced the worst snowfall in my 45 years. It's not even winter yet. Where is the control room in all of this?? I recommend installing a sign that can update drivers on the current weather being tested so we can decide whether or not we want to take your “shortcut.” I've attached a drawing for your engineers.
Sincerely,
John K. Clay
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From: National Test Park
To: johnthanclay@gmail.com
Subject: [Auto Reply: This email does not accept incoming messages] Re: Subject: The Virginia Tech “Smart Road”
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To: National Test Park
From: paul.koret@gmail.com
Subject: Test Park GMO-free Zone
This is notifying you of the recent motion introduced proposing a ban on all Test Park genetically modified crops, seeds, farmers, and fields from Los Angeles County. LA County would join San Juan County, Mendocino County, Marin County, and Arcata, as a Test Park GMO-free zone.
Currently there are none, however, this ban would symbolically protect the future possibility of Test Park GMO urban farming, while also creating a GMO free test site, a potential addition to Test Park.
Sincerely,
Paul Koretz, LA City Councilmen
Mitch O’Farrell, LA City Councilmen
Learning Garden and Seed Library of LA
The Los Angeles Garden Society
The LA Homegrowers Associate
Heirloom Seed-Savers
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From: National Test Park
To: paul.koret@gmail.com
Subject: [Auto Reply: This email does not accept incoming messages] Re: Test Park GMO-free Zone
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