Bullock / Editions / The Mass Observation Project
The Mass Observation project is centred on the Nightwatcher figures, other-worldly winged beings with the body of an infant and a head as camera; they are reminiscent of angelic cherubs, but wrought in the 21st century. Sci-fi angels as passive observers, guardians; or malevolent demons? The Nightwatchers are the embodiment of the deep-surveillance culture within which we all live in today’s all-connected web 3.0 world. They are observing our every move, analysing our every thought and tracking our digital meandering around the internet. They are the agents of AI (artificial intelligence), feeding information into the all-knowing AI machine; as soon as one Nightwatcher learns something, they all know it via their web 3.0 connected neural network. The Mass Observation Project is a comment on the proliferation of this deeply disturbing surveillance culture informing the AI networks, which already feels beyond our control ; Big Brother is among us – and he is definitely watching.
The Nightwatcher sculpture prototypes
These are the original Nightwatcher sculpture prototypes modelled in cast epoxy resin. The designs are drawn from the body of an infant with an over-sized spherical head and a lens-like protruberence and circular wings. They are sci-fi angels (or demons?) originally created to take the position of cherubs and gargoyles high up on city centre buildings, looking down on us in mute gaze … but to what ends?
‘Witness (Nightwatcher history)’ series
The Nightwatchers have been present at culturally and politically significant moments in history; but as simply observant bystanders or controlling agents?
A series of handmade screenprints in colours, strictly limited signed editions.
‘Nightwatcher (by order)’ series
Here the Nightwatchers assume the guise of futuristic sci-fi angels disseminating the language of original WW2 propaganda messages – a stark reminder that deep surveillance is more prevalent today than ever before with our every move, both online and in the real world being tracked … but by whom and for whom?
A series of handmade screenprints in colours, strictly limited signed editions.
‘Nightwatcher (historical propaganda)’ series
The Nightwatchers found in original second world war propaganda posters.
A series of archival giclee prints direct to aluminium panels in strictly limited signed editions.