Gazing

这是一个互联网飞速发展的时代，互联网也让信息变得透明。 随着闭路电视和天网技术的普及，越来越多的人意识到自己的隐私受到侵犯。

作品《Gazing》中探讨了社会条件下的监视。 通过监视形态的展示、被监视者心理状态的隐喻、监视行为的描述，展现了人类社会被监视的无奈和现状。

在不断追求解放的过程中，人类发现自己陷入了一场反抗限制他们的普遍环境的舞蹈中。 就像渴望解放的囚犯一样，人们孜孜不倦地努力摆脱当前处境的明显限制。 尽管他们做出了坚定不移的努力，但由不屈的事实所体现的严峻现实仍然像一股不可改变的力量一样坚定。 挣脱束缚的斗争是一个令人心酸的隐喻，类似于被困在笼子里的苍蝇的无助。 存在的本质似乎与不可避免的命运交织在一起，对自治的渴望与不可避免的被监视发生冲突。 在这错综复杂的存在中，对自由的追求变成了西西弗斯式的努力，每一次尝试都呼应着人类精神的持久韧性。 悖论在于对解放的渴望与挥之不去的意识之间的永久紧张关系，即人类就像宇宙舞台上的人物一样，无法逃避无处不在的目光，它们笼罩着他们的一举一动。

This is an era of rapid development of the Internet, and the Internet has also made information transparent. With the popularity of CCTV and Skynet technology, more and more people are aware that their privacy is been violated now. Rongkun Huang explores surveillance under social conditions in his work ‘Gazing’. Through the display of surveillance forms, the metaphor of the psychological state of the person under surveillance, and the description of the surveillance behavior, it shows the helplessness and current situation of human society under surveillance.



In the contemporary context, the intertwining of Michel Foucault's theories and the concept of the panopticon paints a compelling picture of society as a pervasive, albeit subtle, prison where individuals unknowingly find themselves under constant surveillance. Foucault's insights into power, knowledge, and the mechanisms of control, coupled with the panopticon's architectural metaphor, offer a lens through which to understand the intricate web of monitoring that characterizes modern human existence.

Foucault's seminal work, particularly his exploration of disciplinary power in institutions, resonates with the pervasive surveillance prevalent in today's society. The disciplinary society, as Foucault describes it, is marked by mechanisms that regulate and normalize behavior, shaping individuals into conforming subjects. The panopticon, a metaphorical prison designed by philosopher Jeremy Bentham, embodies this disciplinary power by creating an environment where inmates are under constant observation without being aware of when they are being watched.

In our contemporary world, the panopticon finds its digital manifestation in the intricate network of surveillance technologies that permeate every aspect of daily life. Closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, omnipresent in urban landscapes, serve as the modern panopticon's watchful eyes. Whether on city streets, in shopping malls, or even at workplaces, individuals move through spaces where surveillance is unobtrusive yet ever-present. The illusion of anonymity dissipates as one realizes that they are potential subjects of scrutiny at any given moment.

The digital panopticon extends beyond physical spaces to the vast realm of the internet. In the age of information, individuals willingly contribute to their own surveillance through social media, online activities, and digital communication. The virtual panopticon operates not only as a tool of observation but also as a means of self-regulation. The curated personas presented on social media platforms reflect a conscious or subconscious awareness of being under constant scrutiny, contributing to a culture of self-discipline and conformity.

Government surveillance programs add another layer to this intricate web of observation, echoing Foucault's exploration of the relationship between power and knowledge. Mass data collection, electronic surveillance, and the use of technologies like facial recognition serve as contemporary mechanisms through which authorities amass information about individuals. The asymmetry of power between those who observe and those who are observed becomes pronounced, with individuals often unaware of the extent to which their lives are scrutinized.

Workplaces, educational institutions, and even private homes have become microcosms of the panopticon. Employee monitoring systems, surveillance cameras in schools, and smart home devices contribute to the normalization of being watched. The subtle coercion of constant observation fosters an internalized sense of discipline, with individuals modifying their behavior to align with societal norms, whether consciously or unconsciously.

However, the power dynamics in this modern panopticon are not limited to a top-down structure. The decentralization of surveillance, facilitated by technology, allows individuals to become both observers and observed. The rise of citizen journalism, sousveillance (bottom-up surveillance), and the democratization of information challenge traditional power structures. Yet, the paradox persists: the illusion of freedom within the panopticon prevails, as individuals participate in their own monitoring and regulation.