Voyeurism: "An individual who becomes aroused by intentionally observing others."
– Psychology Today
The exploitation of tragic events by television channels, through endless live coverage, makes us forget that we are acting as voyeurs, contributing to profit made from spilled blood through boosted ratings.
This art piece, composed of two television sets from the 1960s and 1980s, recreates a live broadcast of a terrorist attack by ISIS on a Catholic church.
The television on the left displays blurred footage, intended to protect viewers from graphic images. On the right, the terrorists are shown being filmed, while a typical news ticker scrolls across the screen, providing the latest updates on the attack.
In the background, Islamic chants alternate with excerpts from international news reports on real terrorist attacks.
Why do we fall for the exploitation of hate, intolerance and blood, fueling ratings for broadcasts driven only by profit?
Technique/Materials
- 2 televisions from the 70s and 80s
- 1 computer with audio output: 41-minute loop feed. Includes: Islamic call-to-prayer songs, ISIS guerrilla recruitment audio, ISIS propaganda, and excerpts from international news channels reporting on real terrorist attacks.
- Lenticular acrylic
- Vintage teddy bears from the 1960s and 70s (Bulgaria and the Soviet Union)
- LED panel with scrolling text (30-minute loops)
Dimensions (cms)
92(l) x 28(d) x 39(h)
Date
