This is a great paper

Posted on October 11th, 2006 by Ryan Varga.
Categories: Tools & Resources.

  • “As Foucault alludes, our physical environment is at risk of becoming enslaved by the networks of surveillance and security devices that are being implemented around us. The system that is supposed to give us security and freedom may, in turn, imprison us“.
  • “One might say that the traces left by our presence lose their ‘aura,’ which is defined by Walter Benjamin as “its presence in time and space, its unique existence at the place where it happens to be.”
  • Photographs produced by chemical process are sensitive to physical change throughout time. Thus, each reproduced photograph is capable of holding its own aura and the authenticity can be traced. With digital reproduction, in contrast, the reproduced work of art is evermore independent of the original with no way of tracing the authenticity. Digital reproductions are independent of any physical changes throughout time.
  • The traces of our presences that are recorded by video surveillance systems can be duplicated multiple times and stored in multiple remote locations without the possibility of tracing the original information. This loss of the aura of our traces causes anxiety in those whose traces are captured by the video surveillance cameras.
  • “Any invention or technology is an extension or self-amputation of our physical bodies, and such extension also demands new ratios or new equilibriums among the other organs and extensions of the body.” (McLuhan)
  • “Live/Taped Video Corridor” redefined the use of surveillance video camera and display. This project also creates a unique experience of seeing yourself walk away from you.”

Click HERE for the pdf.

1 comment.

Peter Horvath

Comment on October 12th, 2006.

Stelark’s “fractal flesh” draws hugely on McLuhan’s notion, but in a very real and physical way. It’s all in the interpretation.

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