A portrait, e x t e n d e d

Abstract

Every day, researchers from MIT's Materials Science Department stride past a portrait of Vannevar Bush that hangs on a curious display panel in the lobby of building 13, as they hurry to and from their laboratories. A Portrait, Extended is an architectural and photographic intervention that aims to raise awareness and promote dialogue, to keep us conscious of the ethical issues surrounding technological production. The project raises many issues while it encourages its audience - primarily researchers in materials science - to come to terms with their involvement in the history of government funded research, and to reconsider the quintessential ethical dilemma of technological production. To promote reflect ion on these issues, three ancillary displays were placed in the lobby of the Vannevar Bush Building (building 13) from May 2 to June 2 1999. These additional displays, designed to mimic the visual language of the permanent display, append the symbolic layers of the original unit and its portrayal of Vannevar Bush.