is this thing on?
Platform, performances, exhibitions, workshops
2022 - ongoing

thing.tube is an experimental livestreaming network for artists, founded by the collective “is this thing on?” 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. Our code is open source and archived on our github. For the full history of the project, feel free to explore our public archive on Google drive. Our retrospective is currently up at the Museum of the Moving Image through August 10th.

Founders
Bhavik Singh
Christopher Clary
Molly Soda
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
Kevin Yeh

Support
Federal Foreign Office of Germany
Goethe Institute
Gray Area
Meta Open Arts
Museum of the Moving Image
NEW INC
Nguyen Wahed
Onassis ONX

Mentors
Roderick Shrock
Mai Sutton

Exhibitions
Museum of the Moving Image
Nguyen Wahed

Workshop
Gray Area Festival

Photography
Thanassi Karageorgiou / MoMI