Periscope, 2001

A cycle of four periscopes was made at the Academy.

The explanation of the word periscope that we can find in the dictionary describes the periscope as an optical tube, which makes observing of the surroundings possible which are located outside our direct horizon. Inventions, which make it possible for us to see further and that which would be impossible with the naked eye.

This kind of invention offered me an interesting theme for exploring my body and the environment around me.

Technically I had to study the optics and the system of mirrors, which lies under the 45 degrees angle, which is important in this kind of invention. The surface of the periscope was made of pasteboard and Sellotape. My decision for using these materials was because of their inexpensive, practical and modest quality and because I wanted the content to be more important than the aesthetic quality of the surface.

1) The main idea for the first periscope was to start from the position, which is also characteristic for me: to observe what is happening around me from a safe position. When the visitor looked through the tube he/she could observe the surrounding of my studio and on this occasion they did not have to physically leave the studio.

2) The second periscope offers the view of your physical body from the position of being clinically dead or when the soul leaves your physical body.

3) The third and fourth periscopes pointed out the presumption that everyone is interested in what is going on with his/her backside, which is often hide from us. Behind a screen and with the help of the periscope the visitor was able to appease this curiosity by looking at his/her own behind.

In all four periscopes the possibility was exposed of looking in a different way, which would otherwise not have been viewable. With this invention we could explore our physical and psychic body, and I certainly satisfied my curiosity and I believe also somebody else’s.