Blank Tape, curated by Lena Hansen, is inspired by the ubiquity of surveillance technology in contemporary life. From social media to smart devices, surveillance technology is an inescapable part of our current reality. Even though surveillance can be a scary topic—implying dystopian and oppressive futures—Hansen argues that these dangers make it worth fully investigating how the technology impacts our lives. The artists in Blank Tape explore our complicated relationship to surveillance—and draw connection between surveillance and attitudes towards  gender identity, national identity, international politics, and sex work. In doing so, Blank Tape seeks to show how surveillance technologies inform the way we think and behave, and to imagine how we can use and engage with surveillance more ethically.

The exhibition features artists working in video, animation, projection, photography, installation, and game art. Exhibiting artists include Ajunie Virk, Azzah Sultan, Caroline Yoo, Jamie McArthur, Jonathan Ellis, Lena Chen, Negin Mahzoun, Or Zubalsky, Shori Sims, Tooraj Khamenehzadeh.

Blank Tape will be on view at the Brew House Gallery from January 18  to March 9, 2024. Our gallery hours are always free and open to the public—Thursdays from 2-7pm and Fridays and Saturdays from 11am-4pm. 

We will be hosting additional events throughout the length of the exhibition. Please check back for updates and information about upcoming programming.