Tactics and Poetics of Invisibility

Tactics and Poetics of Invisibility is a workshop on how to make, apply and activate various kinds of invisible inks such as milk, lemon juice, starch, baking soda and saliva. Invisible inks are one of the oldest forms of steganography, the art and science of hiding in plain sight. In the workshop, you will also learn of its history and basic theories of invisible ink and steganography.

The workshop is a part of a research into steganography and how analogue forms of steganography could make up for deficiencies of digital communication and provide a possible solution to more secure communication in the age of pervasive online surveillance. Historically speaking, compared to cryptography which was considered more scientifically sophisticated as it was primarily a mathematical endeavor, steganography was its dark cousin, elusively steeped in alchemy, magic and mystery. Through analogue forms of steganography it aims to explore the practical act of evading the digital gaze on one hand and on the other hand explore the poetic and creative potential in forming alternative modes of communication to strengthen community bonds.