SM1701 Research Blog #7 The art of Simon Denny

Simon Denny is a conceptual artist whose work critically examines the intersections of technology, politics, and economics, often focusing on the influence of corporate culture and digital innovation on society. Denny is particularly interested in how technology shapes power structures, governance, and ideologies, using his art to investigate and critique these systems. His installations frequently incorporate found objects, repurposed materials, and visualizations of data to create thought-provoking commentaries on contemporary issues.

For my research, I focused on two of his works: "Secret Power" (2015) and "Blockchain Future States" (2016). In Secret Power, Denny explores the hidden infrastructures of global surveillance and the aesthetics of intelligence agencies. Presented at the Venice Biennale, this work juxtaposes the visual language of intelligence documents with the ornate architecture of the Renaissance, signaling how secrecy and power are embedded in both historical and modern systems. This piece resonated with me because it reveals the ways in which surveillance culture operates invisibly, yet impacts our lives profoundly.

In Blockchain Future States, Denny examines blockchain technologies and their utopian promises of decentralization. The installation visualizes how different corporations and governments envision blockchain's potential, contrasting their varying ideological approaches to its implementation. I found this work particularly compelling because it highlights the gap between the idealized potential of technology and the reality of its application, raising questions about trust, control, and inequality in a digitized world.

Both works demonstrate Denny's skill in making complex, abstract systems tangible and accessible, using art to provoke critical reflection on the systems that govern our lives. His practice inspires me to think about how I might use visual storytelling to unpack and critique the hidden structures shaping our society.