Carnivore

2002

Scott Sona Snibbe (US)
Mark Napier (US)
Alexander R. Galloway (US)
RSG (Radical Software Group) (US) (IT)
Joshua Davis (US)

"Carnivore" taps the data lines of the server on which it is installed. A flow of data is fed into a series of artistically designed interfaces for purposes of visualization and animation. This project tests our understanding of public and private spheres.

Inspired by the FBI program of the same name, "Carnivore" taps the data lines of the server on which it’s installed. The hacked connections then spew forth a stream of raw data that include all e-mailing, Internet use and other activities at the respective physical site. This flow of data is fed into a series of artistically designed interfaces for purposes of visualization and animation.

The project tests our understanding of public and private spheres. "Carnivore" turns conventional wisdom concerning data protection on its head in that the most extreme of all possible approaches—blanket surveillance—is opted for to create a new form of public art on the Internet.

Prix Ars Electronica 2002: Golden Nica in the category Net Vision / Net Excellence