Machine Vision Artist Feature: Kurt Caviezel
MACHINE VISION
March 3 – April 29, 2023
Join Candela Gallery over the next few weeks as we feature artists from Machine Vision, a survey of tech-based photographic works: Michael Borowski, Kurt Caviezel, Adam Chin, Rashed Haq, Noelle Mason, Drew Nikonowicz, Maija Tammi, and Corinne Vionnet.
KURT CAVIEZEL
Bird 16, 2000-2022. Archival Pigment Print, 30 x 40 inches. Edition of 3 + 2AP. $8400, Framed. INQUIRE >
Occupying a corner of Candela's back gallery, Kurt Caviezel's images of postcard-worthy landscapes and mundane street views are humorously interrupted by obscured insects and bird bottoms.
The six photographic stills, from the series insects and birds, are a small sample of a much larger cache of unique screenshots sourced from publicly accessible surveillance camera feeds around the world.
Insect 26, 2000-2022. Archival Pigment Print, 30 x 40 inches. Edition of 3 + 2AP. $8400, Framed. INQUIRE >
In these series, Caviezel reinterprets traditional methods of photography, using preexisting surveillance technology as a tool for remote photography.
Through a process of discovery, the artist considers each lens an extension of his own camera, with the click of his mouse being the snap of a shutter.
Bird 80, 2000-2022. Archival Pigment Print, 30 x 40 inches.
Edition of 3 + 2AP. $8400, Framed. INQUIRE >
Insect 60, 2000-2022. Archival Pigment Print, 30 x 40 inches.
Edition of 3 + 2AP. $8400, Framed. INQUIRE >
"[insects and birds] investigate the properties of the apparatus as a thing, as hardware, and the impact these properties have on the image. More often than not, the lenses and sensor are mounted in their box high up onto a wall that is only accessible by means of cranes or ladders for men. They are exposed to all kinds of weather and wildlife. Needless to say, it was never the camera operators’ intention to photograph these animals. The animals and apparatus, however, could not care less about the agenda of the operators. They create images and aesthetics that a photographer with his or her own camera cannot produce."
Bird 10, 2000-2022. Archival Pigment Print, 30 x 40 inches. Edition of 3 + 2AP. $8400, Framed. INQUIRE >
ABOUT KURT
Kurt Caviezel, born in Chur, Switzerland, lives and works in Zurich. For the past 19 years Kurt Caviezel has been monitoring tens of thousands publicly accessible surveillance-cams located all over the world. By downloading single images or taking screenshots of any situation he found interesting he compiled an archive of more than 5 million images, categorizing them for recurring patterns and subjects.
Caviezel has exhibited in solo and group exhibitions his native Switzerland, as well as Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, and the United States, notably Charlotte Cotton's curated "Public, Private, Secret" group exhibition at the International Center of Photography
Bird 1, 2000-2022. Archival Pigment Print, 30 x 40 inches.
Edition of 3 + 2AP. $8400, Framed. INQUIRE >
Image, apparatus, programme and information
Learn more about Caviezel's extensive work with surveillance technology in this interview with Wolfgang Brückle and Mark Durden.
MACHINE VISION
APRIL 6, 2023 | ARTIST PANEL
Join Candela Gallery on the evening of Thursday, April 6th as we welcome featured Machine Vision artists into the space for a panel covering topics regarding the overlaps in technology and photography: surveillance, artificial intelligence, NFTs, and more. Doors open at 6:00pm. Panel discussions and live broadcast begin at 6:30pm.