They are watching us
No matter where we are, where we go or whatever we do, we are being watched by someone with more authority or more cautious than us. This series is like a Where’s Wally game I play with surveillance cameras by documenting them and where I can, make them watch me.
Brontes, Geoffrey Huang, 2018, Digital Photograph. 59.4cm x 42 cm
These Devices Are Everywhere
When you want to control everything, you watch everything this is what these things do.
I shoot the surveillance cameras as the centre piece of my composition cause that is what these cameras are, they watch everything they see everything. In a way these cameras are panopticon.
Steropes, Geoffrey Huang, 2018, Digital Photograph, 59.4cm x 42 cm
They Are Modern Day Cyclops
Another fascinating thing I noticed is that these devices are essentially cyclops and they themselves carry a bit of unique beauty in its simplicity.
As much as I acknowledge and know surveillance cameras can be a symbolism of authority I also see it as mythical, I see each one has their own personality. Some are used to catch speed, some catch criminals, they watch us and they all have their own job.
Arges, Geoffrey Huang, 2018, Digital Photograph. 59.4cm x 42 cm
Man loves Playing God…
When I made this series and took these photographs, I wondered if there is another reason besides public safety that we are being watched. After some thinking, I realised people love playing God and controlling everything.
Surveillance cameras are not only for safety but also used for control, so we are afraid to step out of line in their presence.
When shooting this camera, It was moving, I thought it was a fun game to mess around with it and to make it follow me.
I decided to name these cameras Brontes (Thunder), Steropes (lightning) and Arges (Bright) after the three cyclops as a reference to Greek Mythology. The name is a reference to the physical appearance of these cameras, they stand tall, have one eye on a head that turns to help them watch things. In sense they do look like the three original cyclops.
These cameras are also an object made by man, to watch us, to control us and a reflection of a human’s natural urge to play God and watch over everything.