Negotiation Effort
50 paper 10x10 cm
ink on paper, 720p Video, object readymade
2022
It cannot be denied that local governments, as an extension of a country, have a negative image in society. It is common for the general public to associate anything related to the government with lies, manipulation, and corruption. This stigma raises questions such as whether the government officials themselves feel the same way. What causes the government to be perceived in such a manner? And what happens when I observe the government up close and attempt to depict their fears and joys regarding their profession?
The "negotiation effort" is an experimental attempt at negotiation that I conducted with the local government. As a member of the community who often criticizes the government, I challenged myself to personally approach them in the field, pretending to be a community organization interested in conducting psychological surveys. For a moment, I set aside their professional roles and viewed the government as an experimental subject with the same human qualities as anyone else. After establishing a personal connection, I instructed them to depict their fears and joys on a piece of paper, keeping it concise and within a limited timeframe. What would they draw within the given time? Would they follow my instructions?
Ultimately, this artwork will present the results I obtained, consisting of 25 drawings depicting the government's fears and 25 drawings representing their joys. The entire process will be recorded using hidden cameras, allowing the subjects to remain unaffected by the presence of cameras and revealing their true nature behind the scenes. This also serves as a critique of the government itself, which can spy on its citizens at any time.
It is important to note that this experiment cannot draw conclusions about a regional government's overall integrity and achievements. It also does not instantly alleviate the public's phobias and aversions toward the government as a whole.
