The Flying Eye

The exponential growth of the drone sector and the ethical implications of its use have made it one of the most controversial technological innovations, both as a mass-produced toy and for its military uses. Drones are flying eyes, many already equipped with artificial intelligence, some designed by other intelligent machines. There are as many types as there are types of angels in the Christian religion, but rather than seraphim, cherubim, thrones or archangels, they are called tricopters, quadcopters, hexacopters, octocopters, or UAV (uncrewed aerial vehicle), UCAV, Predators and others. They represent clearly the real and virtual speed typical of our times. This video sets out to analyse aspects of the nature and functions of this Angelus Novus (Paul Klee/Walter Benjamin), including its recreational use and deployment in relief, control, surveillance and military tasks—what Rosi Braidotti terms necro-politics, the war machine as a private industry. The proliferation of images captured using drones, at a prudential, detached distance, also has consequences for our visual, aesthetic and moral habits.

Scripted and directed by Andrés Hispano and Félix Pérez-Hita
Editing: Fèlix Pérez-Hita
Production: Víctor Diago
Language: Spanish, English
Subtitles: Spanish
Duration: 15 mins

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21 June 2019