Lynn Hershman Leeson: Twisted
Technology has been the centre of Lynn Hershman Leeson’s works – explored through her works such as the “Breathing Machines”, “Electronic Diaries”, “Deep Contact” or her latest “The Infinity Engine”. This exhibition, curated by Margot Norton, at times feels limited and overly cramped, omitting a lot of works while simultaneously squeezing too much into basically a single floor. Considering this exhibition was Lynn’s first solo show in New York (she’s 80), even though she’s had a life-long career, it obviously would be a challenge to encompass all of her works. What was particularly interesting about Hershman is her exploration of the public versus the private through different forms of media and themes.
We live in a world where others have access to our data, location, and practically any information about you is one google search away. Considering every public space has elements of the private, and every private space has elements of the public, where is the line drawn between the two? Leeson's dolls proposed this question in a very interesting way. When observing the exhibition, you feel like you're encroaching on the artist's private space, learning about her through something personal: her art. However, her art is learning about you too. It was a really fascinating feeling once you realize that the dolls are observing you exactly how you are observing them, highlighting that you are just as on display as they are. What is unnerving about this work is anyone can access the footage taken of you, watching from a livestream accessible through googling it scanning a QR code.
When you leave the comforts of the space you find most private, namely your home, you are allowing for access to you. It is quite self-absorbed to assume privacy is entitled, because every day you are recorded in some sense. That can be through the eyes of someone else, listening in on a conversation, security footage, interactions, and ending up in the background of a selfie taken by a tourist. This is what I personally enjoyed about this exhibition: the introspection Hershman forces you to have when recognizing who and what has admission to you and your digital footprint.












