Digital Awareness Campaign

The Dutch House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer Der Staten Generaal) asked Tobias to pitch his ideas on the internal security of the building. Although we often think about physical security, the digital world can also be a threat we are not aware of. With the campaign called “Zeef”, the digital threat is made visible through the fears humans instinctively have for insects and “bugs”. By harnessing our innate phobias of pests, critters, infestations, and infections, the images highlight the necessity to protect oneself in the digitally connected world. Of course the digital world is an abstract place, but with child-like visualization it comes alive. In every image a question is asked to make the spectator curious. The campaign consists of a total of six images which display “bugs” in the system. The “bugs” can do harm to the organization on a digital level, which essentially can do more damage than a physical threat.

Built from computer parts and everyday used office materials like computer mice, routers, and Internet cables, these images tell this story. The campaign was launched in conjunction with a publication in the magazine “Kamerbode” for which the leading image “Spider / Spin” was featured on the cover.  The feature article explained the meaning of the work and how it was created.  Furthermore, Tweede Kamer utilized the images in a private network campaign to provide educational background information, and to promote additional security measurements. Residents of the building and the public taking tours around The Dutch House of Representatives could find these images displayed in hallways, near the cafeteria, in open social spaces, and in elevators.  After a period of several months of public display, the House of Representatives included the images in their permanent archive.