IDEA 20090925 Virii 2009 Conficker

http://rejon.org/media/2009/09/virii-2009-conficker-composition-90dpi-819x1024.png

The idea is to collect together the years' most popular computer virus series and provide it on a sealed disk, in a plaque under the lock and keyof the owner. The owner would be registered upon sale, and the collection, while put onto a disk, possibly a platinum or gold disk for archival qualities, is put behind glass and entrusted to the owner not to use.

Many ideas have been had, about making a collection, comparing to RIAA awards of gold, platinum, multi-platinum and even diamond (since many newer virii easily pass the 10 million replications now).

Computer viruses, create havoc, whether real or not, and provide for a large economy of services based around FUD in general computing use. If one has not encountered a computer virus, or had to answer questions from troubled parents using computers, then one must not be living in modern times.

The packaging for the Virii 2009 to be generated would be similar to a platinum disk or gold disk as generated for recording artists. While its not a reward to the virus creators, it is notable to create such replication in software.

Also, putting these on disks is not a violation in and of itself. It is not use, but it is an acknowledgment of the place in society for these types of creations, the capturing equivalent of a sample of smallpox, and who is registered to own a copy of the firearm for example.

Also. the first version of the virus discovered is used, which there are many antidotes for, an understanding, and this is not a propagation of use hence the personal affiliation and connection of both the artist and the owner of the plaque. The virus is digitally RSA encrypted by the artist, similar to copyright, and the owner retains the signed-copy, thus requiring two people to unlock the sample.

Quantity
A limited edition 1st version is being produced right now for 2009.

Renegade Art Auction
This artwork will be auctioned at the Renegade Art Auction in October 2009.


 * Title: Virii 2009 Conficker
 * Description: Virii 2009 is an annual acknowledgment of the computer virus which has replicated the most, globally, for an annual year. The first Virii 2009 unique plaque, VIRII 2009 CONFICKER, is presented as a certified record of authenticity, framed for hanging on a wall in a secure location. Future certifications are to be only distributed as an annual unique plaque. It is entrusted to a collector to be stored or shown securely. The attached disc and samples contained on the disc are packed in a secure manner that only the artist, Jon Phillips, or his designated agents may discuss.
 * Size / dimensions: 16" (W) x 20" (H)
 * Framed / unframed: Framed with Record, and certificate inside
 * Value (Note - the DOE does not allow anything over $2400 for wholesale) : $666


 * Jon Phillips: Jon Phillips is an artist and developer contributing to society and building meaningful relationships. In 2002 he helped launch the open source drawing tool, Inkscape, leads the Open Clip Art Library, built Creative Commons‘ community and business development strategies from 2005 until 2008 and is growing the media company Fabricatorz with Cantocore Art Exhibitions and the Laoban Open Soundsystem in Beijing.

Example Images
http://www.2020visionsegroup.com/Platinum-Record1_1.jpg

Next Steps

 * (DONE) Collect Conficker A sample (have b, c, d, and e)
 * (DONE) Design all pieces of the collection
 * (DONE) Design Virii 2009 award
 * (DONE) Collect CD contents:
 * (DONE) Virus
 * (DONE) Information
 * (DONE) Design Style
 * (DONE) edgy like drumnbass, but also with arabic graphics as patterns
 * (DONE) use the SVG from the article about Conficker
 * (DONE) Article about the virus
 * (DONE) Include LICENSE/DISCLAIMER statement
 * (DONE) Article from wikipedia about history of computer virus and what is a computer virus
 * (DONE) Send to manufacturer
 * (DONE) Find out specs on archival data disk
 * (DONE) Find out who makes platinum disks for RIAA, etc
 * Complete manufacturing of the disc
 * (DONE) Put up official site
 * Publicize!!!

Thanks
Thanks to Nicky Bourque for discussing with me the security aspects of this project.