Nature Acess Control
2018
baustellenüberwachung system livestreaming into the Gallery
In the thought-provoking artwork titled "Nature Access Control," the artist delves into the complex dynamics between surveillance, nature, and societal control. Created in 2018 as a temporary installation in collaboration with the exhibition "Empathy Box" at 37PK, Haarlem, this work explores the intersection of technology, surveillance, and the natural world.
At the core of the installation is a baustellenüberwachung system, a construction site monitoring system that provides real-time surveillance. This system is live-streaming the imagery into the gallery space, creating a virtual connection between Vijfhuizen and Haarlem. It draws a symbolic line between the two locations through the transmission of live images, bridging the gap between urban and natural landscapes.
As night falls, the Empathy Box emits a distinctive green glow, enveloping the fort's surroundings and diffusing the landscape. This luminous presence adds an eerie and disorienting atmosphere, further emphasizing the themes of control and surveillance within the artwork.
"Nature Access Control" challenges viewers to confront the Orwellian notion of monitoring and manipulating nature, while also questioning the ways in which surveillance and commerce intersect. By employing surveillance technology within the context of the natural world, the artist prompts reflection on the boundaries of privacy, the impact of human intervention on ecosystems, and the potential for subversive control through commercial and industrial channels.
This artwork serves as a catalyst for contemplation and dialogue about the delicate balance between human agency and the intrinsic autonomy of nature. It encourages viewers to question their relationship with technology, the ethics of surveillance, and the implications of societal control over the environment. "Nature Access Control" is a multi-layered exploration that invites critical examination of the complex dynamics shaping our modern world.
