OREANDA-NEWS. The Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation and C/O Berlin will host a new panel discussion of the „Watched!“ series on the topic of surveillance art & photography. The event entitled “The Public Self” will take place on 13 October 2016. Artist and media scholar Hasan Elahi, sociologist Harald Welzer, artist Florian Mehnert and cyber psychologist Catarina Katzer will discuss the displacement of private life into public space and the associated effects. The event will be moderated by Anne-Christin Bertrand of C/O Berlin and Anne-Marie Beckmann of Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation. Every second month artists, scientist, photographers, lawyers, politicians and journalists are discussing and holding talks under the name ”Watched!” at C/O Berlin in Amerika Haus, Berlin.

Authenticity versus fictionality, stability versus dynamics – the 'self' is no longer a fixed psychological and philosophical variable but rather marked with fragility and fractures. It can't simply exist on its own, but rather forms in the exchange with its surroundings and requires public attention in order to learn values, norms and behaviors. The ego is only constructed in the gaze of the other and as such is the result of a narrative that constantly redefines itself. So far, the self has constructed itself in its immediate environment. Through the digital revolution and social media, one's radius and options are expanded to a much larger degree – anyone can present themselves at any time at any location and in real time. At the same time, this pinnacle of networking leads to a blurring of the private and public, an increasing individualization and results in constant surveillance – both internally and externally.

With the series "Watched! – Surveillance Art & Photography" C/O Berlin and the Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation address the different forms of surveillance and their effects on individuals and entire groups and present different commentaries and reactions from the perspective of contemporary art and media experts. 

Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation

“Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation”, a Frankfurt-based non-profit foundation, promotes contemporary photography. The foundation activities focus on collection, exhibition and promotion. For instance, one of the key aims of the foundation is to expand the Art Collection Deutsche Börse. Deutsche Börse began to build up its collection of contemporary photography in 1999. Art Collection Deutsche Börse now comprises more than 1,600 works by over 100 international artists. The collection and a changing exhibition programme are open to the public. The Photography Prize is a key project of the foundation. It is awarded in cooperation with the Photographers' Gallery London and has been presented this year under the new name Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation Prize. Other focal points include promoting new talent, supporting exhibition projects of international museums and institutions, and the expansion of platforms for academic discussion about the medium.

The Homepage of the Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation has been recently awarded with the Red Dot Design Award.