Date of Award
5-10-2026
Date Published
June 2026
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Fine Arts (MFA)
Department
Film and Media Arts
Advisor(s)
Jason Webb
Second Advisor
Rebecca Xu
Keywords
computer art;panopticism;robotic art
Subject Categories
Computer Engineering | Engineering | Robotics
Abstract
This MFA thesis explores modern panopticism and the feeling of being watched by creating and installing Four Real Friends, an interactive robotic artwork inspired by the 1998 Furby. The project looks at how surveillance technologies are not just outside forces, but part of daily life, often feeling familiar, playful, and even social. The installation uses hardware design, custom circuits, computer vision, and real-time data display to collect and process how visitors interact in the gallery. Its nostalgic and friendly look encourages people to take part, while still showing how data is collected and displayed as it happens. This makes surveillance both easy to see and a normal part of the experience. This research suggests that people accept modern surveillance technologies because they are made to feel necessary in social settings and sometimes even enjoyable. Using the idea of panopticism, the project shows that people change how they act when they think they are being watched, even if the watcher is unclear or seems playful. How visitors act in the installation shows how participation, consent, and performance can overlap in interactive systems. Ultimately, this work frames surveillance as an emotional and cultural experience shaped by design, social expectations, and shared beliefs. The project shows that people participate in data collection, supporting the broader system of surveillance capitalism through their daily actions.
Access
Open Access
Recommended Citation
Cape, Atienah, "Simulated Intelligence, Surveillance, and Play" (2026). Theses - ALL. 1044.
https://surface.syr.edu/thesis/1044
