Close Watch

In the 59th International Art Exhibition, La Biennale di Venezia the exhibition architecture of the work Close Watch by Pilvi Takala is created by Studio L A in the Finnish Pavilion. Close Watch is curated by Christina Li. Close Watch is inspired by Takala’s experience as an undercover artist working as a fully qualified security guard for global company Securitas. The work sheds light on an underpaid, undervalued and underregulated workforce who must navigate their influence in society. The ethical dilemmas of their profession are the focus here, informing an exhibition that reflects on how control is enforced within the security sector, and ultimately how we govern each other’s behavior.

At the biennale the multi-channel video installation is displayed within site-specific exhibition architecture by Studio L A that divides the Pavilion of Finland into two interrelated presentations via a one-way police mirror. Societal power dynamics between the watchers and watched are called into question in this active, physical field of spatial politics. The pavilion can be visited from two different entrances. The visitors who enter the light space where the work is introduced only see a mirrored wall. The visitors on the other side can observe the people in the other space through the police glass. Inspired by the camera observation room in shopping malls, this space is dark and filled with video works by Pilvi Takala.