Kinky Kashayam's 'Portable Black Cat Radar' Satirizes Superstition Through Design & Tech

In a world where technology shapes our daily lives and beliefs are deeply ingrained in cultural narratives, the emergence of Kinky Kashayam's Portable Black Cat Radar (BCR) sparks a thought-provoking exploration into the intersection of superstition, design, and human cognition.

Kinky Kashayam, a design studio founded by Shashwath Santosh and Nithin Eluvathingal, has delved into the space of speculative design by creating a handheld device reminiscent of a Nintendo console, but with a unique purpose: to generate fictional black cats. This gadget, conceptualised as a response to the superstition that crossing paths with a black cat brings misfortune, prompts a profound inquiry into our relationship with belief systems.

At its core, the BCR is more than just a whimsical gadget—it's a medium for contemplation, designed to explore the intricate fabric of human beliefs that have evolved over millennia. The device's settings allow users to customize their experience, adjusting brightness, belief level, meow sounds, unit of distance, and even country settings. This customisation speaks volumes about the malleability and subjectivity of superstitions, highlighting how individual perceptions shape our interactions with the world.

The inspiration behind the BCR stems from cultural folklore, particularly the notion prevalent in various cultures that encountering a black cat symbolises impending doom. By envisioning a world where technology aids in identifying and avoiding these mythical felines, Kinky Kashayam challenges us to confront the ways in which we uphold, perpetuate, or even challenge superstitions in our lives.

The physical manifestation of the Portable Black Cat Radar is an amalgamation of artistry and technology. Its red, winged body, crafted from a custom-printed circuit board ensconced between acrylic plates, houses knobs, dials, switches, and a central screen displaying the user surrounded by geo coordinates and a "risk level" bar. Fictional black cats appear as targets on the screen, enabling users to navigate their paths—avoiding or approaching these virtual entities.

Technologically, the BCR employs GPS, gyroscopes, and magnetometers to determine the user's location—a fusion of functionality reminiscent of Google Maps and the immersive experience akin to augmented reality games like Pokémon Go. The dedication to building the software from scratch echoes the craftsmanship reminiscent of retro gaming devices, underscoring the team's commitment to marrying innovation with tradition.

Moreover, Kinky Kashayam's novel device is a critical examination of belief systems deeply rooted in South-Indian culture. By utilising design and technology as mediums of expression, the founders aim to initiate conversations about the entanglement of culture, superstition, and industrial design.

The studio's broader ethos—intertwining history, science, technology, socio-economics, critical fiction, and humor—creates a unique lens through which they approach their projects. Their exploration transcends mere functionality, extending into the realms of societal perceptions, heritage, and the ethical implications of intertwining tradition with modernity.

In the vein of their commitment to dialogue and exploration, Kinky Kashayam plans to release the BCR in limited quantities through their social channels. This intentional approach reflects their desire to engage with a broader audience and incite discussions about the role of design within cultural contexts. Ultimately, the Portable Black Cat Radar stands to the power of design to challenge, question, and reimagine age-old beliefs. It's a symbolic gesture that beckons us to reflect on the stories we tell ourselves, the objects we create, and the intricacy of beliefs that shape our perceptions of the world.

Kinky Kashayam's Portable Black Cat Radar encourages us to engage in a thought-provoking dance with superstition—whether it's pretending to avoid one black cat at a time or daring to reach out and pet it.

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