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EYES ON BORDERs

An artistic research project to challenge and reflect the meaning of virtual public surveillance programs (2009 – 2016)

Our world has become global. Violence, persecution, poverty, desperateness induce movement of people to countries that promise a better life. But secure and prosperous nations seem to be not waiting for these immigrants. One of the impacts of the non approached problems is the illegall crossing of borders.

Our world has become digital. The developments in the range of new media evoke unique and remarkable applications of perception, communication and interaction. Related to the security of a nation a new kind of surveillance program had been projected to empower the public to proactively participate in fighting border crime. „Crime“ means here illegal border crossing.

The TBSC BlueServoSM Virtual Community WatchSM is considered to be the first virtual public real-time surveillance program initiated 2007 by the Texas Border Sheriff’s Coalition. The virtual surveillance program was designed for the public to monitor the U.S.-Mexico border. A network of cameras and sensors along the Texas-Mexico border fed live streaming video to www.BlueServo.net. Registered as virtual deputees users log on to the BlueServoSM website and can now observe suspicious activity along the border via a virtual fence.

„EYES ON BORDER“ is an artwork that is based on the documentary material of the surveillance program and my experiences as a virtual deputy. Reflecting the meaning of virtual public surveillance programs I try to initiate a general thinking about virtual public surveillance and to challenge their dubious tactics aimed at enhancing national border security.

During the day if you see four or five young men in a boat report this activity. At night if you see vehicle, boat and or people movement report this activity.
This river area is known for illegal drug activity. If you see large number of people in boats please report this activity.
If you see young men with a boat or if you see people moving late night in this area please report activity.
If you see movement from left to right or if you see objects crossing from left to right please report activity.
This area is along the southern border. If you see objects crossing from left to right report this activity.
If you see individuals in the field passing on food or a vihicle parked report this activity.
This area is known of illegal drug activity. If you see people crossing the water please report activity.
If you see vehicles for an extended period of time or if you see people moving late night please report activity.
30th Biennial of Graphic Arts, Ljubljana – photo Urska Bolj
„Immersion“, IMAGES, Festival des Arts Visuels de Vevey, CH (2016)
digital slide show at Data Rush, Noorderlicht International Photofestival, Groningen
EYES ON BORDERs, Haus am Kleistpark, Berlin
Thanks of the Texas Border Sheriff´s Coalation
Thanks of the Texas Border Sheriff´s Coalation to all Virtual Deputies
the project was published in Hémisphères N° 12 , Genève

The project was exhibited at

„Interruption“, 30th Biennial of Graphic Arts, Ljubljana, Slovenia (2013)

„Data Rush“, Noorderlicht International Photofestival, Groningen, NL (2015)

„Autopoiesis“, Exhibition in the context of the 13th art award, Haus am Kleistpark, Berlin (2015)

„Immersion“, IMAGES, Festival des Arts Visuels de Vevey, CH (2016)

The project

was nominated for the 13. Kunstpreis Haus am Kleistpark, Berlin (2015)

won the Special Prize at the Vevey International Photography Award, CH (2016)

and was published in Hémisphères N° 12 – Réinventer la nuit – Dossier et bulletin, Genève, Ch (2017)