Surface Tensions: Skate-Stoppers and the Surveillance Politics of Small Spaces

Skate-stoppers are ubiquitous objects installed on outdoor surfaces in built environments all over the world. an essential part of low-tech security urban at a micro-scale—a single bench, handrail, or ledge—with sole-purpose protecting these from skateboarders. As such skate-stoppers extension human and electronic surveillance systems, though many patches landscape, low-cost substitute for more sophisticated technologies. This interplay control liberation draws attention to space specific tactics adopted secure protect them through surveillance. In this article, we explore criticality removing advance study small spaces. We argue that aggressive attempts by interrupting flow bodies boards along particular surfaces, namely “spots” desired Second, installation has shifted reaction anticipation skateboarders, new construction projects now come with already as infrastructure. Third, skateboarders have become adept liberating spots skate-stoppers, restoring both organised activism covert acts, underscoring limitations using objects. conclude some thoughts disjuncture between embrace creative cities proliferation suggesting play its affective properties regulated same