In George Orwell’s “1984,” the protagonist Winston Smith lives in a dystopian society where the government monitors citizens’ every move, thought and expression. This theme of surveillance has become increasingly relevant in modern times, particularly in the context of art exhibitions. Contemporary artists have incorporated surveillance technologies into their works to challenge the audience’s perceptions of privacy, control and power. These works often raise questions about the use of surveillance and its impact on individual autonomy and social dynamics. By highlighting the ubiquity of surveillance in our daily lives, art exhibitions can prompt critical reflection on issues of privacy and the ethics of surveillance, encouraging viewers to consider their own role as both watchers and watched.
