FORESTPROTOCOLS ( WALDPROTOKOLLE )

Florian Mehnert PHOTO: C/O BERLIN, DAVID VON BECKER

In response to the NSA scandal, Florian Mehnert had bugged paths and clearings in forests for days in 2013. His microphones installed there listened to passers-by. Sounds and conversations were recorded and processed into digital traces. After evaluating the data, the artist published extracts of the logs on his website.

to the website of the published protocols, 2013

Radio SRF 2 Kultur, Schweiz, 10.01.2014, Florian Mehnert: Kunstaktion gegen den Abhörskandal




Florian Mehnert installation view Wolfsburg

The invisible threat Florian Mehnert bugs the nature, the forest, the last retreat, where man feels undisturbed and unheard. There is no more unsurveilled place. With his art project "Forestprotocols" Florian Mehnert points out the danger and absurdity of mass surveillance. By publishing the records, he makes the invisible surveillance visible and calls for reflection on monitoring. The FORESTPROTOCOLLS illustrate the hidden operating monitoring.


Reactions to the forest protocols

Florian Mehnert, WaldprotokolleFlorian Mehnert, arte

The publication of the FOREST PROTOCOLLS followed by great media resonance. Florian Mehnert received a complaint according to § 201 of the German Public law (STGB) for violation of the confidentiality of the word. The public prosecutor's office investigated and applied the freedom of art.

  • Süddeutsche Zeitung, 13. November 2013, Reaktion auf NSA-Skandal, Künstler verwanzt Wald
  • DIE WELT, "Auch im Wald da sind die Wanzen, 15. November 2013"
  • Süddeutsche Zeitung, Wald verwanzt, 6. Dezember 2013, Wald verwanzt, Anzeige gegen NSA-Protest-Künstler
  • Badische Zeitung, Künstler verwanzt den Schwarzwald und wird angezeigt 20. Dezember 2013
  • ...more press