Gazed
Wood, cardboard, Arduino Nano 33 IoT, servo motors, 24 x 48 ", 2024
Gazing, an insidious, invasive phenomenon, often brings with it unseen pressures and voyeuristic discomfort. This interactive installation, Gazed, explores the unsettling concept of being watched, embodying a hidden yet intrusive form of scrutiny that many encounter in daily life. A gaze can range from curious to invasive, imposing an invisible tension on those it targets. Our project replicates this uncanny sensation through an installation of “eyes” that silently observe the viewer, creating a presence that is both captivating and unnerving. When a viewer approaches and makes direct eye contact with the hidden camera, the installation responds as though caught in the act, with the eyes performing an exaggerated side-to-side motion as if to feign busyness. This reaction places the viewer in the passive role of the observed, confronting them with the discomfort of surveillance and encouraging reflection on how this invisible attention shapes self-awareness and identity.
