The Politics of Seeing and Being Seen episode artwork

EPISODE · Jan 31, 2026 · 20 MIN

The Politics of Seeing and Being Seen

from Art Is Not a Thing · host Ars Electronica

Using both the conditions and limitations of the photographic medium, Trevor Paglen's investigations into state surveillance, military operations, and data collection raise questions about truth, deception, and imagination. In this episode, Hannah Balber talks to the American photographer, author, and geographer about UFOs, psyops, the power of manipulation, and how seeing and being seen are deeply political.Art Is Not a Thing is produced by Ars Electronica and developed in collaboration with Radio Ö1.Host: Hannah BalberProducers: Ana-Maria Carabelea, Christopher Sonnleitner, Marlene GrinnerEditing: Hannah Balber, Ana-Maria CarabeleaMusic: Karl Julian SchmidingerArs Electronica:https://ars.electronica.art/https://www.instagram.com/arselectronica/https://www.linkedin.com/company/arselectronicaTrevor Paglen

Using both the conditions and limitations of the photographic medium, Trevor Paglen's investigations into state surveillance, military operations, and data collection raise questions about truth, deception, and imagination. In this episode, Hannah Balber talks to the American photographer, author, and geographer about UFOs, psyops, the power of manipulation, and how seeing and being seen are deeply political. Art Is Not a Thing is produced by Ars Electronica and developed in collaboration wit...

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The Politics of Seeing and Being Seen

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This episode was published on January 31, 2026.

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Using both the conditions and limitations of the photographic medium, Trevor Paglen's investigations into state surveillance, military operations, and data collection raise questions about truth, deception, and imagination. In this episode, Hannah...

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