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Suspect

On October 4th, 2001, I was reported to the FBI as a Middle-Eastern man taking pictures of bridges in Albany, New York. Suspect (2002) juxtaposes the source footage I was shooting when reported, framed by FBI warnings and a pseudo-official “FBI TV” logo, with legislation that describes this type of footage as illegal to possess or distribute.

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11 replies on “Suspect”

So cuz,

How exactly can you still “possess” this material and not be in violation of the law as stated in your project?

The legislation is from Vermont Statute Title 13, Section 3481, which states that a

person who, without permission of lawful authority, while the United States is at war or threatened with war, makes or attempts to make any map, drawing, plan, model, description, or picture of any military camp, fort, armory, arsenal, bridge, road, canal, dockyard, telephone or telegraph line or equipment, railway or property of any corporation subject to the supervision of the public service board, or of any municipality or part thereof, shall be imprisoned not more than 10 years.

Here’s an article about a photographer who was detained by police for that very reason.

I use the language of that law, describing the video as “illegal to possess or distribute” to draw on the looming, ominous fear that even a small step out of line will land you (or me) in jail. If the footage were truly “illegal,” it wouldn’t still be online ;) If the FBI logo was copyrighted like a commercial brand (I’m not sure if it is), my new FBI-TV logo would be covered by fair use as criticism. But your point is well noted. I’ve rephrased my description. Hopefully it retains the sense of danger associated with wide, sweeping phrases that the government uses to make even innocent photos “illegal.”

By Post Author

I still remember the whole “photographing the bridge” debacle! Looks like you got off easy. Very ominous, good job.

I photographed a Koch plant in Minnesota and was approached by two men in National Security outfits in 2003. I was told that they would need to obtain my film, and all of my personal information, such as DL, SS#, and current address. I was told that I would now have a permanent file at the FBI.
I really appreciate this video.

cheers

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[…] Via Scoop.it – Artful Muse On October 4th, 2001, I was reported to the FBI as a Middle-Eastern man taking pictures of bridges in Albany, New York. Suspect (2002) juxtaposes the source footage I was shooting when reported, framed by FBI warnings and a pseudo-official “FBI TV” logo, with legislation that describes this type of footage as illegal to possess or distribute. Show original […]

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