Big brother

Date: 19 March - 25 April 1999

Security cameras in public spaces: safety measure or breach of privacy? This question gave cause for a presentation of video, TV-programmes and contributions of artists about unsolicited surveillance.

Michael Klier, 'Der Riese', 1983 The viewer becomes a voyeur by showing him the life in an ordinary German town through a surveillance camera, suggestively accompanied by the music of Mahler and Wagner.

Tony Oursler, 'Simulacra-figure', 1991 A life-size puppet on the facade of the Stroom building reacts to passer-by through a camera and speaker, directed by visitors in the exhibition space.

Sven Augustijnen, 'Iets op Bach' (Something on Bach'), 1999 The 'registration' of a bizarre party taking place across the road.

Bart Dijkman, 'Observation', 1997 An account of the failing choreography when a car owner is locking his car.

A.P. Komen, 'Couples', 1993 Four illegally taped phone conversations about intimate subjects combined with images made with a hidden camera.

Arjan Ederveen, 'Daarom,...', 30 minuten, VPRO, 1997 Phone conversations in the docudrama 'Daarom,....'

Netwerk, NCRV, 'Camerabeveiliging' ('Camera surveillance'), 25/1/99 Documentary on the use of cameras for street surveillance in England.

And further on: the Spy-Shop, web sites, documentation and the safety manual 'Politiekeurmerk voor veilig wonen' ('Police seal of approval for safe living').

BEWAAKT / BETRAPT (GARDED / CAUGHT)
A conversation concerning public safety
in an urban environment, that took place on 23rd April 1999 at Stroom on the Spui.

Participants: Albert Hauber (criminologist), Thaddeus Müller (sociologist), Rob van Casteren (police squad Haaglanden), A.P. Komen/Karen Murphy (visual artists) chaired by Hans Andringa (journalist).