The world that appears to have changed dramatically over the past few years under the influence of data driven analytics, strategic communication and new financial technologies. Do we still recognise ourselves in this world? Is it still possible to make a connection with the way the world now sees us, and how we see ourselves. The Block Mirror combines the viewers reflection with the act of mining currency (bitcoin) to illustrate their value potential within this system. It hints at a possible future where all aspects of our lives and our attention are mined for currency.

It has exhibited twice to date. Version 0.1 exhibited at Gateshead Library Gallery as  prototype/proof of art.  Version 0.2 exhibited in a more complete state at the City arts Gallery In Edinburgh as part of the After money symposium. I spoke at the Symposium drawing connections between art and understanding of complex system Referencing Lacanian Mirror Theory, John Dee’s black mirror and the act of Scrying as a pre scientific way of fining meaning in impossible to understand systems. Scrying is supernatural act of staring at a shiny surface until a vision appears, it comes from the English word descry which means to catch sight of something, to make out dimly, to reveal.

Block Mirror also draws attention to the current state of the artists value. It is an artwork that makes use of the galleries resources the artist whilst installed. In its current state it has mined 0.00000002 bitcoin to date.