Viewing Distance

Viewing Distance explores photography's role in the military-industrial complex through declassified archives, revealing a time lag between knowledge creation and public accessibility. Combining historical photographs with contemporary documents and devices, the book presents historical fragments in a state of flux, encouraging speculation and critical vision.

Format: Hardback
Length: 96 pages
Publication date: 13 January 2022
Publisher: Daylight Books

Viewing Distance: An Examination of Photography as a Tool of the Military-Industrial Complex

Viewing Distance is a captivating project that compiles and transforms declassified material from US government archives to examine photography as a tool of the military-industrial complex for reconnaissance, surveillance, and documentation of advanced technologies. While many of the source images for this body of work date back to the middle 20th century, they have only recently been released, and much information remains secret. These photographs represent the decades-long time delay from when knowledge comes into being and when it becomes publicly accessible. The Cold War period that much of the material originates from is a significant turning point in photography's technological development and use for intelligence gathering.

The book combines photographs pertaining to the clandestine innovations and operations of that era with contemporary documents and devices, connecting past and present. Processes including analog printing, digital collage, scanner manipulation, and data bending are used to animate the archival material. Through this disruption and layering, historical fragments are presented in a state of flux, open to alternate associations and implications. What we are allowed to know and see is often incomplete and indeterminate, encouraging speculation and critical vision.

This project challenges our understanding of photography as a neutral and objective medium and highlights its role in shaping our perception of the world. It raises important questions about surveillance, privacy, and the power dynamics of knowledge production and dissemination. Viewing Distance encourages us to critically examine the images we encounter and to consider the hidden narratives and implications behind them.

In conclusion, Viewing Distance is a thought-provoking and visually stunning exploration of photography's complex relationship with power and surveillance. It is a testament to the power of visual storytelling and the importance of preserving and accessing historical records. Through its innovative approach and compelling content, this project invites us to reevaluate our understanding of the past and the present and to consider the implications of our visual culture on our world.

Weight: 762g
Dimension: 223 x 260 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781954119031