I would have told you that you looked good as you walked away. – Jack Johnson
Could good ole Jack have know about Wafaa Bilal, the NYU photography professor that is having a camera surgically implanted in the back of his head? Yes, you read that correctly. Seems Mr. Bilal has been commissioned by the government of Qatar to partake in an art project called ‘The third I”. It is intended as “a comment on the inaccessibility of time, and the inability to capture memory and experience,” according to press materials from the museum. Um… ok.
The camera will take pictures at one-minute intervals and will stream to a computer database. It will appear in different sequences on monitors in an exhibit between December and May.
Anyone find this just a little too over the top. First of all, ouch! I mean how does one surgically implant a camera in the back of someone’s head? Apparently through a piercing device. Ouch, again. And really, what happens to this guy’s personal life? I can’t help but think that half the time there will be streaming video of his friggin’ pillow while he is sleeping. Then there are the hours that he is teaching when he promises to put a ‘lens cap’ over the camera. I am guessing that would cut into the hours too. What if he really boring and most of the images are of the wall in his apartment?
This guy is known for some wacky antics in the name of art. I suppose his thing is pushing the edge. I mean look at that expression in that picture… this guy has nut written all over him.
Hey, I am all for conceptual art. I love a good performance piece. I am a huge fan of streaming video. Hell, I watched the puppy cam for hours last year. But this one? The idea of the surgical implant is just a bit more than I am willing to accept.
Then again, what parent has not wished they had eyes in the back of their head? Who knows, we may see them recommended on cool mom picks next holiday season.
i could cry but i don't have time 
i love this guy, love love love him!
My first thought was also what if he sleeps on his back?
Great Jack Johnson song.
Well, it’s not you who’s getting it done, it’s him, and if he’s bonkers enought o do it, let him off. It’s his own choice.
Amanda Coogan the Irish Performance Artist once headbanged for two hours as a performance piece. She needed weeks of physiotherapy to recover, but that was her choice. Some artists just like to push those boundaries, but even Damien Hirst, the wildest wild child of them all, settled back into painting.
I love when an artist friend chimes in. Orla, you are so very right. and I should have my BA revoked for my commentary I am sure.
It’s all about choice.