Where does the boundary between art and science lie? If such a line does exist then Suzanne Treister’s latest installation at the Science Museum sits firmly on that fence.
Her works are a type of artistic mind-mapping exercise that cover subjects as diverse as the birth of the internet to the link between cybernetics and totalitarianism. All of her works highlight wariness towards technology. Some have a clear anti-technology message.
These drawings are the products of meticulous research. They raise concerns with governments control over our lives and our data. But there is also humour and satire aplenty in Treister's art. One of her drawings is about Google. The company's motto of ‘don’t be evil’ is placed above decisions they’ve made that seem to go against this directive.
It’s clear that Treister is a child of the 70s, with swirly colours, references to hippy culture and mushroom clouds hinting at the threat of nuclear war. This lends the works a personal touch. We have a sense of peering into her mind.
You’ll enjoy trying to unpick each diagram and understanding the links between the statements and characters in each work – trust us, it’s not easy! The works here are truly fascinating and will appeal to both art lovers and those interested in technology and its origins.
Hexen 2.0 is on at the Science Museum until 30 April 2012. Admission is free.
