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A Cookbook of Invisible Writing
"A new cookbook from Amy Suo Wu investigates the radical potential of centuries-old spy techniques.” –Madeleine Morley, AIGA A Cookbook of Invisible Writing , by Dutch artist, designer and teacher Amy Wu, is an introduction to analog steganography―a type of secret writing that is hidden in plain sight. This book serves as a starter pack to run workshops with groups who are interested in alternative forms of communication. It contains invisible ink recipes and other invisible communication techniques that may be used to subvert surveillance and bypass censorship, but also inspire your community to develop poetic and playful forms of communication to nurture social bonds.
In the tradition of esoteric manuals published on secret writing, this cookbook also channels the spirit of everyday access and the easy distribution and sharing of practical knowledge. Following Giambattista della Porta’s 1558 popular science book Natural Magic ―one of the first major publications that detailed simple but diverse recipes of invisible inks for public consumption―this cookbook aims to bring this obscure field to a wider audience. The publication includes a critical essay about the history of surveillance through a feminist and postcolonial lens. The last chapter presents Wu’s own body of work that aims to revive analog techniques as a counter to today’s digitally surveilled mediascape.
In the tradition of esoteric manuals published on secret writing, this cookbook also channels the spirit of everyday access and the easy distribution and sharing of practical knowledge. Following Giambattista della Porta’s 1558 popular science book Natural Magic ―one of the first major publications that detailed simple but diverse recipes of invisible inks for public consumption―this cookbook aims to bring this obscure field to a wider audience. The publication includes a critical essay about the history of surveillance through a feminist and postcolonial lens. The last chapter presents Wu’s own body of work that aims to revive analog techniques as a counter to today’s digitally surveilled mediascape.
224 pages, Paperback
Published August 20, 2019
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May 18, 2024
This was absolutely incredible. I picked it up not really knowing what to expect; but this text and anthology is so essential. I can't believe I lived this long without reading it or thinking much about the 'viscerality', importance, and relevance of stenography.
I really found the examples of modern applications of stenography interesting, especially the first hand examples. The only examples I had of censorship and working against it was from conversations with friends who would spread events and descriptions in person but seeing examples of written activism just demonstrated the potency of multiplying approaches.
The first essay-based, literary framework section sometimes drew apparent conjecture too fast. I do believe them to be actually well based and supported as shown in the later sections of the chapter. That is however, the single thing I would lightly criticise this book about. The rest is absolutely stellar.
I'm technically not done with it as I intend to go back and colour some more, decipher some more, experiment some more
I'm definitely inspired to apply this knowledge in real life in my activism and academic careers. Thank you so much for this
I really found the examples of modern applications of stenography interesting, especially the first hand examples. The only examples I had of censorship and working against it was from conversations with friends who would spread events and descriptions in person but seeing examples of written activism just demonstrated the potency of multiplying approaches.
The first essay-based, literary framework section sometimes drew apparent conjecture too fast. I do believe them to be actually well based and supported as shown in the later sections of the chapter. That is however, the single thing I would lightly criticise this book about. The rest is absolutely stellar.
I'm technically not done with it as I intend to go back and colour some more, decipher some more, experiment some more
I'm definitely inspired to apply this knowledge in real life in my activism and academic careers. Thank you so much for this
Displaying 1 of 1 review