"PARASITISM IS DESCRIBED AS A RELATIONSHIP IN WHICH A PARASITE TEMPORARILY OR PERMANENTLY EXPLOITS THE ENERGY OF A HOST"[1]
Each paraSITE is made of simple materials such as plastic bags, polyethylene tubing, hooks and tape designed to be attached to the exterior outtake vent of a building's HVAC (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system) which then inflates and heats the custom built site. Being lightweight they are transportable and easy to dismantle, whereby all one needs to shelter him or her self for the night is to attach it to existing architecture's HVAC.
These paraSITEs not only serve those in need but are also a reaction to Boston, Cambridge, Massachusett and New York City's attempts to make their city 'homeless-proof' by re-designing benches and grates into impossible resting places and deploying outdoor sprinklers to serve as a deterrent to homeless people.
The first prototype was presented to a Bill Stone in 1997 who unsurprisingly expressed his enthusiasm[2]. In 1998 Rakowitz had finished the basic design and produced and distributed them to 30 homeless people in Boston, Cambridge, Massachusett and New York.
The project is ongoing..
Personally i think this project is not only a humanitarian act, but a magical and innovative approach to a terrible and seeminly unacknowledged issue. As i said earlier these paraSITEs not only help the people that need it most but they also exemplify the obvious cruelty of a world or society more willing to look way (or not look at all) than to help.
Rakowitz is constructing temporary homes for the homeless. He recognizes this issue will not be going away over night, so he considers their position and creates objects that can at least help them for now.
[1]http://michaelrakowitz.com/parasite/
[2]Ibid
Pictures reproducing from 'Micheal Rakowitz - paraSITE' http://michaelrakowitz.com/parasite/
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