Vancouver's pop-up Faraday Café is a place where no internet exists

It seems that you can’t go anywhere these days without seeing almost every one glued to their phones or laptop screens. However, Vancouver “social artist” Julian Thomas wants to create a space where people can engage with one another without the technological distraction of cell phones or computers.

The Faraday Café appears to be a regular shop from the outside, but on the inside all electromagnetic phone and Wi-Fi signals are repelled. This is caused by a Faraday cage, which is composed of conductive material and completely encloses the interior of the store.

The cage restricts the passage of electrical signals, meaning that once you step foot into Faraday Café, you wont be able to browse the web, text or make phone calls.

Thomas has worked on eight different projects using public space in the past four years. He is specifically interested in utilizing public space with urban elements to reframe ideas and conversations around sustainability.

Image: Chinatown Experience

Most recently, Thomas has been working with more private spaces because they come with less by laws and restrictions than public owned property. The Faraday Café has transformed from a private space into one where people can reconnect and socially interact without clinging on to their technological gadgets. Furthermore, the space is an attempt to make patrons reflect on how they can use technology in a more thoughtful way.

If you need a space to disconnect, the café is open until July 16th. A variation of artisanal coffees will be served daily by donation. There will be pop-up dinner parties hosted at the café Wednesdays at 7p.m., afternoon DJ sets on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and a story telling night on July 15.

Faraday Café

Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and closed on Sundays.
Location: 434 Columbia St, Vancouver B.C.
Website: http://www,chinatownexperiment.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheChinatownExperiment

Featured Image: Chinatown Exp via Instagram