# Public Secrets

> creative work by Erik Loyer, Sharon Daniel

**Wikidata**: [Q132197834](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q132197834)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/public-secrets

## Summary  
*Public Secrets* is a creative interactive work developed by Erik Loyer and Sharon Daniel, released in 2008. It functions as both an artistic application and an exhibit, originally distributed on optical disc and built using Adobe Flash. The work explores themes of privacy, surveillance, and digital identity through user engagement.

## Key Facts  
- Created by Erik Loyer and Sharon Daniel  
- Published in 2008  
- Classified as a creative work, exhibit, and application  
- Built using Adobe Flash  
- Distributed via optical disc  
- Listed in academic journals  
- Language of the work: English  
- ELMCIP ID: 716  

## FAQs  
### Q: What is *Public Secrets*?  
A: *Public Secrets* is an interactive digital artwork created by Erik Loyer and Sharon Daniel. It was published in 2008 and uses Adobe Flash to engage users with themes like privacy and surveillance.

### Q: Who created *Public Secrets*?  
A: The work was co-created by Erik Loyer and Sharon Daniel. Both are known for their contributions to digital media art and interactive storytelling.

### Q: How was *Public Secrets* distributed?  
A: It was originally distributed on optical disc. As an interactive application, it required local installation to run, particularly due to its reliance on Adobe Flash technology.

## Why It Matters  
*Public Secrets* holds significance within the field of electronic literature and digital arts as a pioneering example of interactive narrative that critically engages with contemporary issues such as government transparency, personal privacy, and data exposure. By combining aesthetic design with functional interactivity, the project demonstrates how digital platforms can be used not only for entertainment but also for political commentary and social critique. Its recognition in academic circles underscores its value as both a cultural artifact and a pedagogical tool, influencing discussions around digital humanities and new media studies.

## Notable For  
- Being recognized as both a creative work and an interactive application  
- Addressing timely socio-political themes through immersive digital experiences  
- Utilizing Adobe Flash at a time when web-based interactivity was evolving rapidly  
- Receiving scholarly attention and inclusion in academic publications  
- Representing collaborative innovation between two prominent figures in digital art  

## Body  

### Overview  
*Public Secrets* is a multimedia creative work developed by Erik Loyer and Sharon Daniel. First published in 2008, it blends elements of visual art, interactive design, and critical discourse on public versus private information.

### Development & Technical Specifications  
The application was constructed using **Adobe Flash**, which was widely adopted during the mid-to-late 2000s for creating rich internet applications and animated content. Due to this dependency, the experience was traditionally accessed through local installations rather than modern browser environments.

Distribution occurred primarily through **optical disc**, reflecting standard practices for distributing complex interactive works prior to widespread broadband adoption and cloud computing.

### Classification & Recognition  
Classified under multiple categories including:
- Creative Work
- Exhibit
- Application

It has been cited in academic contexts and indexed in databases relevant to electronic literature and digital culture, including assignment of **ELMCIP ID 716**.

### Themes & Purpose  
At its core, *Public Secrets* interrogates concepts surrounding:
- Surveillance
- Privacy
- Governmental secrecy
- Digital personhood

Through interactive exploration, users encounter layered narratives that challenge assumptions about visibility and control over personal data—issues increasingly central to global conversations in the late 2000s and beyond.

### Authors’ Backgrounds  
Both creators bring significant expertise to the project:
- **Erik Loyer** is known for experimental digital narratives and innovative use of code in expressive forms.
- **Sharon Daniel** contributes a strong background in socially engaged media practice and documentary aesthetics.

Their collaboration reflects a convergence of technical skill and conceptual rigor typical of influential works in digital humanities.