is this thing on? is an artist collective that built the live streaming network thing.tube. The platform is developed as a process of software creation as performance art. Its features and form are shaped by our own desires, conceptual questions about online platforms, and the current context of livestreaming and the web. Currently, thing.tube allows performers to stream from customized rooms, connected by a webring and a universal chat. We’re building and connecting in the spirit of web3, decentralizing technology in the service of decentralizing power, without (necessarily) relying on the blockchain or crypto. A retrospective of our performances was exhibited at the Museum of the Moving Image in 2025.

Credits: founders, Bhavik Singh, Christopher Clary, Molly Soda, and Sarah Rothberg; additional performers, Alan Worm, anya price, Brian Clifton, Char Stiles, Chia Amisola, Claire Hentschker, Claire Jervert, Daniel Shiffman, Darla DeVour, Eevee FiFi, Em Sieler, emily d'achiardi, evangeline, exonemo, Helen Lin, Herdimas Anggara, Jessie Edelstein, Karla Zurita, Kennie Zhou, Kiana Fernandez, Kiki Green, Lau Mota, Lucy Dellar, Mark Ramos, Matthew Flores, Maya Man, Morry Kolman, Mr. Grass, peter burr, Quentin Stafford-Fraser, Rosalie Yu, sava, Spencer Chang, and Taylor Torres; technologists, Mark Ramos and Kevin Yeh; support, Federal Foreign Office of Germany, Goethe Institute, Gray Area, Meta Open Arts, Museum of the Moving Image, NEW INC, Nguyen Wahed, and Onassis ONX; mentors, Roderick Shrock and Mai Sutton; exhibitions, Museum of the Moving Image and Nguyen Wahed; workshop, Gray Area Festival; photography, Thanassi Karageorgiou / MoMI.

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