When we look up, high upon a building, and see the tv-eye of a gargoyle staring back down at us - how do we know if it is there to protect us from evil, or is the evil itself?
'Gargoyles of the Steel Ring' is part one of the 'Invisible Giants' Trilogy - a series of films made by artist film maker Conrad Armstrong - on the architecture of power in London.
The film is a psychogeographical mapping of The Ring of Steel, a largely invisible defensive security cordon that encloses The Square Mile of the City of London. Made in the 90s, during a period of increased threat with attacks on the financial district by the IRA, The Ring closely follows the liminal boundary line that marked the original wall of Roman Londinium. The story told is historical, poetic and contemporary, reading and interpreting the hieroglyphs of London's postcolonial narrative - visible on every corner. However, with our movements and facial expressions being monitored and recognised by the many shapeshifting gargoyles of surveillance capitalism, who is watching the watchers and who - or what is being protected? - Conrad Armstrong.
DATE: 24th JAN 2023
CONRAD ARMSTRONG WORKSHOP: 20:00 -22:00
CONTACT: anticlone@sade-english.com