Surveillance of assailants is an
installation artwork which creates an animated simulation of a surveillance camera which in turn responds to
viewers’ gestures.
Software analyses video from a real
camera in order to synthesise the virtual camera, which tracks the movements of people in real time. Live imagery of the installation space is incorporated as
reflection in the lens of the virtual
surveillance camera. If viewers approach too closely, the surveillance camera
becomes ‘shy’ and tries to hide.
Software analyses video from a real
camera in order to synthesise the virtual camera, which tracks the movements of people in real time. Live imagery of the installation space is incorporated as
reflection in the lens of the virtual
surveillance camera. If viewers approach too closely, the surveillance camera
becomes ‘shy’ and tries to hide. |
|
While having the humorous aspects of a moving image that actively scrutinises its viewers, and an object that plays a game of ‘hide and seek’ the work is also
sinister because it is an independent agency which clearly and overtly
analyses those that encounter it. The tracking action of the virtual camera selects
individual viewers and followstheir movements, while their reflection becomes
part of the computed imagery without any perceptible delay.
This underscores the power of
information systems to instantly cross- reference huge amounts of data about us even before we recognise what is
happening. |
