Could Safwat battle privateness with a life-size mannequin of Edward Snowden's head
The artist created a 3D model of the famous whistleblower that also prevents smart home devices from overhearing our conversations
"I was just having dinner at my brother's house and we all applauded as we clinked our glasses. His Amazon Echo said "cheers". We thought it was funny at the time, but I couldn't stop thinking about it, ”says artist May Safwat of the inspiration for her Echo Chamber project.
A Bloomberg report revealed that Amazon's Echo voice technology is using contractors to review records, which Amazon later confirmed. People often proudly place their Amazon Echo on the bedside table, our most intimate space. Fortunately, we are not aware of this intimate surveillance and this project aims to stimulate public debate. What is recorded and stored tells these companies a lot about who we are and what we like. These “smart” devices are operated by privately owned companies whose goal is to add value to their residents while distracting us with a treat so that we can shout “Alexa, play Post Malone Wow” for the hundredth time. "
All images from Echo Chamber by May Safwat, photographed by Catherine Hyland
Echo Chamber is about that invisible surveillance we are constantly under, and according to Safwat, it's also about our willingness to invite corporate surveillance into our homes. To start a conversation, she decided to create a life-size replica of the head of NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden with a copper cylinder hidden inside. It's designed to sit over an Amazon Echo or Google Home and prevent it from hearing you and connecting to the internet.
“Edward Snowden is the saint of privacy to me. He risked his life and sacrificed his freedom to raise awareness, ”says Safwat, explaining why it seemed obvious to use Snowden as the face of her idea. “As a statement, it was necessary that the head be conspicuous in a domestic setting. This project is about making the invisible visible. And who better to protect your data than Edward Joseph Snowden? "