Panorama
Part of ObservationOcularis: Eye Surrogates
Tran T. Kim-Trang
(USA, 1997, video, 21:00)
Big Brother is watching you! Security cameras, bugging equipment and similar devices can all be employed to observe people. Different systems are described and displayed in detail. This footage is followed by recorded images of ‘victims’ relating their experiences they have has with security cameras. Of course, there are always security police to keep an eye on things once they can no longer be observed with a security camera. You are recorded on film whether you want it or not. Is this what video offers us: a totalitarian state where everything and everyone in it is observed? Or does video reveal more of real life than we can ever hope to see ourselves?