01
Approach
The viewer encounters the canvas and is drawn to the familiar QR code.
The Plague of the Current Century
Observer or Observed
You come here to look at art. But the art is already looking at you.
An interactive art project by Anastasiia Tumko
The viewer becomes part of the work.
This interactive art project invites the viewer to become an active element of the work itself. In an era dominated by digital interfaces, we have grown accustomed to seeing ourselves as observers and consumers of content, believing we are in full control of what we see.
This project playfully deconstructs that illusion. The QR code - a symbol of a familiar and seemingly safe digital interface - becomes the entry point into a system where the viewer unexpectedly becomes the content.
Who is observing whom?
How it works
The installation merges traditional painting with contemporary technology. The centrepiece is a hand-painted QR code on canvas. When a viewer scans the code, they are directed to a live webpage where they see themselves within the gallery space in real time.
02
Scan
Curiosity prompts a scan, leading to a digital redirect.
03
Realisation
The viewer discovers their own live image on screen, sparking a moment of surprise.
04
Reaction
The viewer turns around to locate the source, often reacting with laughter, recognition, or a wave to the camera.
Artistic process
In this work, the artist was particularly interested in transforming a purely utilitarian QR code into a painterly, creative gesture.
The project seeks to create a stronger and more memorable interaction with the viewer, moving beyond passive observation and exploring how an artwork can surprise and engage people in a playful yet thought-provoking way.
At the core of this exploration lies the question of power and access: in our digital age, we often assume that having access to information equals having control. This work tests that assumption.
Through the installation, the artist reflects on the modern panopticon - a space where surveillance is not forced, but one we voluntarily enter out of curiosity. It mirrors our current social landscape, where the everyday tools we use for convenience quietly integrate us into systems of observation.
The goal was to turn this complex and often overwhelming question into a light, engaging moment that evokes both emotion and reflection.
Exhibition and audience response
Observer or Observed was exhibited at The Handbag Factory Gallery in London in April 2026.
The installation received a strong positive response from both visitors and art professionals. Many viewers were visibly surprised and engaged by the unexpected twist, often laughing, discussing the work with others, or returning to experience it again with friends.
