Recently, I am especially interested in the public's reactions to surveillance system, the notion of privacy, security and ethical issues in today’s society. Three interactive works relate to the surveillance system are found during my research.

1. Rafael Lozano-Hemmer - Subtitled Public
Subtitled Public consists of an empty exhibition space where visitors are tracked with a computerized infrared surveillance system. As people enter the installation, texts are projected onto their bodies: these "subtitles" consist of thousands of verbs conjugated in third person and they follow each individual everywhere they go. The only way to get rid of a subtitle is to touch someone else: the words then are exchanged between them (text from http://www.lozano-hemmer.com/).see vidoe (4 mins)

Subtitled Public, 2007
courtesy of Rafael Lozano-Hemmer

2. 215 Points of View -  Jonathan Schipper, 2005
215 Points of View is a 5.5 foot diameter sphere covered with 215 video monitors and surveillance cameras. Each monitor displays live video feed from a camera placed on the opposite side of the sphere. The sphere can be rolled around in its environment. It is a surveillance device that reveals what is just beyond it. Its scale and mobility defy secrecy. (text from http://www.pierogi2000.com/)website

215 Points of View2005, Approx. 5.5 foot diameter, Steel frame, 215 monitors and surveillance cameras, rubber, cables
courtesy of Jonathan Schipper  

5.3 ACCESS, Marie Sester, Marie Sester's Access is a public art installation that applies web, computer, sound and lighting technology in which a robotic spotlight controlled by web-users tracks individuals in public spaces. An acoustic beam system directs sounds onto the same tracked persons, projecting audio that only he/she can hear. The individual does not know who is tracking him/her or why he/she is being tracked. Nor is he/she aware of being the only person among the public hearing the sound. The tracker doesn't know his/her action triggers sound towards the target. In effect, both the tracker and the tracked are in a paradoxical communication loop. (text from http://channel.creative-capital.org)website

Link:  surveillance system and the notion of privacy

Tags:  art, interactive, privacy, surveillance