Sharks Eat Meat: FRANCISCO MATEO RODRIGUEZ

Nacionalismo Domestico II by Francisco Mateo Rodriguez

Maxima Seguridad by Francisco Mateo Rodriguez

Review by John Coulter

Francisco Mateo Rodriguez is a political and conceptual artist from Madrid. Some of his best work examines public places and surveillance. They address topics of borders: where people can go, and who watches their movements and actions. He questions the rules of social spaces, land and property.

‘Máxima Seguridad’ highlights complacency in a surveillance society. The toy normalizes security. Children who grow up with security cameras as a constant, are less suspicious of being watched than those of a generation that saw the technology implemented. A critical voice towards the surveillance state is rare in the art world and rare amongst mass media. The wit with which Mateo’s messages are delivered is HD sharp.

His complex projects confront important issues on privacy and being watched. More artists should follow in Mateo’s footsteps. Keep tuned to the Shark blog for more of Mateo’s art.