Artist SpY installs giant surveillance-camera obelisk in central Madrid

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SpY has said the piece is meant to provoke reflection on how constant surveillance can cause people to self-regulate their behavior even without a visible watcher, referencing the philosophical concept of the panopticon. Placed prominently before a historic government building, the work could be read as commentary on the growing presence of cameras and digital monitoring in public life, though the artist frames it as art rather than an actual security installation.

• Artist SpY built a 65-foot surveillance-camera obelisk named 'Panopticon' in central Madrid.
• The structure sits in front of the Palacio de Cibeles and lets the public view live CCTV feeds through peepholes.
• The artist says the work is meant to spark reflection on self-regulation under surveillance, not serve as real security infrastructure.