Joel Stern

Joel Stern

Joel Stern is a curator, artist and researcher based in Melbourne Australia. Joel has worked on numerous projects including being an artistic director at liquid architecture, an organisation that focuses on creating spaces for sonic experience for contemporary art and experimental music. He has also led other projects such as OtherFilm being a collective of artists working with moving image and the legacy of avant-garde cinema.

Here are a few pieces of Joel’s work which he shared and talked to us about. I will be describing the aim and process behind each piece and offering my own critical response. 

Eavesdropping

Eavesdropping is a research project for Joel’s PHD. In collaboration with Melbourne law school the project revolves around specific technologies such as audio tape, radio telescope and networked intelligence and how they interact with the political ideas of surveillance, settler colonialism and detention. The project is displayed in a number of ways including exhibitions, talks, a website and performances.

I find this project very interesting especially concerning the politics of audio surveillance and how in a modern age this needs to be approached with caution. This has become a new phenomena with tech companies listening to conversations and ‘eavesdropping’ to determine consumer preferences to increase profits.