Inspired by the phrase imprinted on each and every child since elementary school,
'I will not copy' is an art installation that took place November 20th, 2017 at the Penninghen school in Paris, France, presented by Whitney Bolin and Axel Vagnard.
Upon entering the exhibition space, participants were immediately confronted with a small classroom papered ceiling to floor with the mantra. Scrolling text glowed from screens and projections, echoing the printed walls while illuminating the dark space. A robotic voice chanted 'I WILL NOT COPY' in 36 different languages without respite.
As a social experiment, each person was asked to 'write something on the blackboard'. Influenced by their environment, many repeated what was printed on the walls. Everyone was also encouraged to share using the event's hashtag '#iwillnotcopy'.
This immersive experience was shared with at least 80 subjects, their opinions varying. Some expressed discomfort, assaulted by the audio-visual repetition. Others felt a sort of 'coziness', finding the hypnotic nature of their surroundings relaxing.
Photography of the installation, content shared on social media, and data detailing the production of the event is documented in one unique edition.
Immortalising the physical aspect of the ephemeral happening, the hand bound book is entirely printed on paper recycled from the installation.
