Surveillance is a topic that has been around as long as we humans have. We’ve used its capabilities, claiming that it’s for our best interests. And yet, whose interests are really reflected in such a bold statement? Why are those people who say this statement even entitled to make these claims? And for what purpose?
By its very nature, the act of surveillance has little to do with honesty, as it is based on the darkest of deeds. The act of surveillance has always occurred as a clandestine affair. Though it was always used in the form of protection when developing public “policies”. Yet, is it any wonder that all of our artistic interpretations of surveillance have left us with a definite sense of unease, even fear? There are very few who do not fear the shadows. Mostly, because we know roads we humans are capable of traveling down, simply by looking at our histories. They have never ended with good results when the act of “watching” has been incorporated into our daily affairs.
How did “Seagulls” by Mato Atom make you feel? It’s pretty amazing the amount of emotions he’s able to extract from us in under 5 minutes. THAT is the nature of surveillance. It’s not a matter of “If you’re not doing anything wrong, then you have nothing to fear”. Yet, is it any wonder that we still fear?
“Control your destiny or somebody else will.” – Jack Welsh
p.s. Do check out the Wiki page on surveillance to see just how far we’ve come in the 21st century. Fear can push us into insanity, if we let it…
