The Art of Peeping

Sorenna Brown

TRM153

09/15/13

The Art of Peeping

            This article talks about whether taking photographs of people in their own homes without permission should be considered intrusion or a form of art. Svenson is a photographer who took pictures with a 500mm lens of people through their windows. He then put these pictures in a gallery, which led to some concern from the people in the pictures.

            This led to the discussion, should this be considered peeping? The court ruled that “Svenson’s actions were defensible under the First Amendment’s guarantee of free speech.” Compared to artists like Kohei Yoshiyuki who took pictures of people having sex, Svenson’s work is practically harmless.

            My opinion on the matter is what Svenson’s was not appropriate, because I know if I was being watched and photographed I would feel incredibly uncomfortable. If he would have asked for consent first, then that’s a different story. However he said that the whole point of this project was to observe the unconscious aspect of life – so asking for consent would defeat the purpose. In any matter, I think the whole thing is creepy and overall uncalled for.