Presented at the Payson Library for her junior thesis exhibition, Bella Smith uses symbolic photographic imagery as a medium to create a photo story that meditates on the subject of surveillance. Bella explores how technological surveillance done on the public by governmental and corporate entities can feel anxiety inducing and dehumanizing because of the control they have on media we consume based off of the data they collect. Additionally, she demonstrates the interesting dynamic that we have as a culture in being aware of this surveillance while also trying to pretend it is not happening. Ultimately, Bella concluded her mediation with the idea that governmental and corporate entities are not the only ones watching, there are spiritual entities watching too.

Bella began her creative process by writing her thoughts on the subject of surveillance. She then began to do research on the topic and found The Society of the Spectacle by Guy Debord, a book which heavily influenced her work. After gathering her ideas and solidifying her vision, Bella set out to create sculptures for her photography. She built miniature sets and used professional lighting to help convey her message. She edited her work in Adobe Photoshop and presented it for her thesis.

Roles: Photographer, Artist

Date: 10/2021