FORESTPROTOCOLS, 2013

As a reaction to the NSA scandal, Florian Mehnert had installed microphones at clearings and paths in german forests over days in 2013. His microphones installed, were recording passing by walkers. Noises and conversations were recorded and converted into digital Traces. After evaluating the data, the artist published extracts of the logs on his website.

link to the website were the protocols were published in 2013

Radio SRF 2 Kultur, Switzerland
10.01.2014, Florian Mehnert: Kunstaktion gegen den Abhörskandal

FORESTPROTOCOLS 2013

Florian Mehnert 2013

The invisible threat Florian Mehnert bugs the nature, the forest, the last retreat, where man feels undisturbed and unheard.
There is no more unsurveilled place.
With his art project "Forestprotocols" Florian Mehnert points out the danger and absurdity of mass surveillance.
By publishing the records, he makes the invisible surveillance visible and calls for reflection on monitoring.
The FORESTPROTOCOLLS illustrate the hidden operating monitoring.
link to the website were the protocols were published in 2013

Reactions to the FORESTPROTOCOLS

Florian Mehnert, Waldprotokolle Florian Mehnert, arte

The publication of the FOREST PROTOCOLLS followed by great media resonance. Florian Mehnert received a complaint according to § 201 of the German Public law (STGB) for violation of the confidentiality of the word. The public prosecutor's office investigated Florian Mehnert, but in the end let apply the freedom of art.

Süddeutsche Zeitung, 13. November 2013, Reaktion auf NSA-Skandal, Künstler verwanzt Wald

DIE WELT, "Auch im Wald da sind die Wanzen, 15. November 2013"

Süddeutsche Zeitung, Wald verwanzt, 6. Dezember 2013, Wald verwanzt, Anzeige gegen NSA-Protest-Künstler

Badische Zeitung, Künstler verwanzt den Schwarzwald und wird angezeigt 20. Dezember 2013

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