Project KOVR | Anti-Surveillance Coat Type I | 2016
Project KOVR protects you and your privacy against the threats of our information-driven environment.
We as humans are creating an enormous invisible network on top of our existing biosphere; the infosphere. This infosphere consists of networks and radiowaves. It’s our new, ever expanding environment that grows at a staggering rate. Yet we roam around unprotected with privacy sensitive data. This data might easily be tracked and misused by virtually everyone; random people, but also companies and governments. It has become impossible to control which information about us is revealed and what stays hidden. We are not in control of our own privacy anymore. And privacy is what makes us human.
Clothing has always been a method to protect ourselves against the possible threats of the biosphere, like the cold or extreme heat. Project KOVR is protecting you from the infosphere. It does so by using metalliferous fabrics that shields the computerchips in your cards, clothing and car keys; even making your phone untraceable. It blocks every incoming and outgoing signal, keeping you safe from radiowaves and radiation. Project KOVR believes in being able to choose when to be traceable. In people regaining control over their privacy and data. So when preferred, the black pockets allow you to still be reachable with your device of choice.
Stay human in an information-driven environment.
KOVR (pronounced cover) is an ongoing project of designers Leon Baauw and Marcha Schagen. Our name comes from Esperanto, created to be an easy-to-learn, universal language. Its goal was to put aside political and cultural differences and enhance communication transparency.
The Anti-Surveillance Coat is constructed of different layers of metalliferous fabrics that works like the principle of the Faraday cage. This means that every incoming and outgoing signal will be blocked, keeping you and your data safe from radiation. It covers your complete body and falls all the way down to your legs. The design comes with a hood that allows you to be completely covered. Let's not forget that a very important part of the design is the black pocket at the front of the coat. We believe in well-regulated forms of technological progression. This means that you have to be reachable whenever and wherever you want to. The black pocket gives you this option.
.
Photography Suzanne Waijers
Models Rasheed Vlijter, Yvonne van de Meerendonk
MUA Nadia van der Sloot
