Chris Eckert: Privacy Not Included

Eckert is a California-based artist who uses technology and machinery—media that are often thought of as cold and impersonal—as vehicles for exploration and introspection. This exhibition presents two large installations, Blink and Babel. In Blink, Eckert installs a row of mechanical eyeballs peering out from the wall. The individually articulated eyes follow gallery visitors, tracking their every move. Babel, which consists of several small writing machines, is programmed to write a message in different handwriting styles and languages. Together, the two works reflect the conundrum we face in our contemporary society: appreciating the joy of convenience and technology’s ability to provide us security and safety, versus negotiating between the disconcerting, constant surveillance and intrusion in our lives.