Original implementation of the Firewall Cafe art installation and research project
This is the original Firewall Cafe repository from 2020. It has been superseded by firewall-client-server. This repository is preserved for historical reference and contains the initial implementation of the project.
Firewall Cafe began as a month-long pop-up internet cafe art installation designed to foster public dialogue about Internet freedom. This repository contains the original codebase that powered the initial installation, comparing Google searches in the U.S.A. versus Baidu searches in China.
- Create an interactive art installation exploring internet censorship
- Engage the public in conversations about information access
- Document disparities in search results across different regions
- Build community awareness about digital freedoms
This repository contains:
- Original WordPress-based implementation
- Initial search comparison interface
- Early data collection methods
- Installation setup documentation
- Media and press materials from the 2020 exhibition
Active development has moved to:
- firewall-client-server - Modern implementation with enhanced features
- firewall-web-app - Current web deployment
- Joyce Yu-Jean Lee - Project Creator & Lead Artist
- Dan Phiffer - Technical Development
- Rachel Nackman - Research & Content
This repository is maintained as a historical artifact documenting:
- The evolution of the Firewall Cafe project
- Early approaches to visualizing internet censorship
- Community engagement through interactive art
- The technical journey from art installation to research platform
MIT License - Preserved from the original project
- Current Project: Visit firewall-client-server
- Website: firewallcafe.com
- Email: [email protected]
Firewall Cafe - From art installation to global research platform
Thank you to everyone who participated in and supported the original installation.