LiPsTiCk ON A PANOPTiCON

This building takes a critical approach to government architecture. It presents itself as a glass-and-steel-clad inversion of power dynamics. The visitors here (seem to) observe the scientists and personnel, rather than the usual inverse. This is a marketable narrative to offer to the public, but it is not wholly genuine. The building houses a central, paneled volume which can only be viewed out-of, and not in-to. Within exists “sensitive research” labs and spaces for hushed politicking surrounding the dispersal of food advancement data.

The obfuscation of what really occurs here is not lost on the public, in fact, it is presented to them directly through the architecture. If that truly makes a difference is the question. Does the alluring perception of flipping the power dynamic justify willfully embedding oneself into it? This aims a satirical spotlight at all of us who so willingly ignore blatant instances of governmental oversight when seductive narratives and pretty public faces are presented.