Critical Interventions in Wearable Tech, Smart Fashion and Textiles in Art and Performance

Abstract

The zeitgeist and media fervour over wearable technologyWearable tech and e-textiles , which collect users' intimate body data for profit, operates under the pretence of medical or fitness monitoring to help users improve their health. However, the reality of this data harvesting highlights the need for critical questions to be raised about the directions, motives and ethics of corporate ownership of this data. This chapter highlights these issues within the context of Camille Baker's own and collaborative performancePerformance and media practices with Kate Sicchio, around ethics of wearable technology and in smart textiles in performance, but specifically around identity and data ownership.