9.8.17 - Day 3 / Week 1: Prints and Scans

In a staff meeting a couple of weeks before the start of the residency, We were struck that, when the staff come in to Northbourne they sign on to their shift by scanning their thumbprint into a machine at the entrance. It was being discussed in the meeting as the machine doesn't always read the print, especially if the staff have been working with harsh cleaning fluids that day.
The thumbprint is unique. It is a signature, record and a portrait of being human. Making a thumbprint is tactile, simple and personal. Your thumbprint grows back the same unique stamp even when it is rubbed away.

The ink needs cleaning off quite quickly. Luckily Joan keeps a packet of wet wipes on her side table to clean the ink off her fingers after reading the newspaper.
We had the idea of blowing up the thumbprints and possibly being able to put text into the lines, marks and traces. Turns out even at 9pm in the dining room, Evelyn is a whiz on the scanner….