Art project makes rent affordability tangible through cycling
Justin Blinder's 'Ground Truth' art project uses cycling and technology to illustrate New York City's housing crisis and rent burdens.
Artist Justin Blinder has developed an art project called 'Ground Truth' that aims to make the rising cost of rent and the housing crisis in New York City a tangible experience. The project utilizes specially equipped e-bikes that alter pedaling resistance based on local housing affordability.
The project draws on data from the U.S. Census Bureau regarding neighborhoods where residents are considered "rent-burdened," meaning they spend 30% or more of their income on rent. As a cyclist navigates through an area with high housing costs, the bike's resistance increases. In areas with more affordable rents, the cycling experience becomes easier. This physical sensation is intended to highlight economic disparities and inequality.
Blinder, who is also a researcher and cyclist, presented the work as part of an exhibition that concluded in August. He has personally cycled over 35 miles with the project installed across New York City. The artwork was made possible with support from the "Idle Hands" art incubation program, which provided Blinder with funding and professional assistance.
Blinder has prior experience translating data into physical experiences. Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, he created malware that slowed computer performance in proportion to local infection rates. 'Ground Truth' continues this theme, exploring how technology can foster a deeper understanding of inequality by transforming abstract statistics into a palpable, felt experience.