Trojan Offices, 2014-2024

Installation celebrating the 25th anniversary of the webcam.

An installation exploring the beauty and complexity of technology, and providing a glimpse into unsuspecting coffeepots and offices all over the world.

Twenty five years ago, at the Cambridge University computer lab, someone went to get a cup of coffee from the kitchen – only to discover the coffee pot was left empty by his collegue – yet again. Being caffeine-loving computer scientists, they connected a camera filming the coffee pot to the office network, so that from now on everyone could monitor the supply of fresh coffee from the comfort of their desk. The very first webcam was born.

Today, the webcam has become a cornerstone of surveillance and digital culture. To mark its 25th anniversary, IDFA DocLab and De Brakke Grond commissioned media artist Dries Depoorter to make an installation for the DocLab: Immersive Reality program. Countless numbers of webcams are currently streaming live to the internet, indexed by search engines without permission. With a simple hack, Depoorter gained access to them and curated what he found. The result is Trojan Offices, an installation exploring the beauty and complexity of technology, and providing a live glimpse into unsuspecting coffeepots and offices from all over the world.

commissioned:

  • IDFA Doclab
  • de Brakke Grond