Special Works School (2018)

Special Works School (2018) poster

‘Special Works School’ was the codename used by the British War Office between 1917-1919 for a group of artists tasked with the job of ‘camoufleur’ - painters, textile artists, scenographers, designers, sculptors and scenic painters who were employed by the military to work specifically on developing camouflage technology. The artist, armed with the skill of rendering their surroundings with utmost acuity, was appointed to remove things from the realm of perception. Bambitchell’s ’Special Works School’ takes its name from this military unit to investigate the connections between artistic practice and surveillant technologies. With this video, the duo ask what an overtly aesthetic approach to surveillance can render visible, or invisible. By framing surveillance as an aesthetic practice, ‘Special Works School’ hones in on the psychic, embodied and material dimensions of surveillance - both from the position of the surveillor and the surveilled.

Director: Sharlene Bamboat
Genre: Documentary
Runtime: 27 min
Release Date:
Music: Richy Carey
Cinematography: Rita Macedo
Production: Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, Gallery TPW
Country: Canada, Germany, United Kingdom
Language: English
Original Language: en
More Films by Director: Sharlene Bamboat
More Films in Genre: Documentary

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Special Works School about?
‘Special Works School’ was the codename used by the British War Office between 1917-1919 for a group of artists tasked with the job of ‘camoufleur’ - painters, textile artists, scenographers, designers, sculptors and scenic painters who were employed by the military to work specifically on developing camouflage technology. The artist, armed with the skill of rendering their surroundings with utmost acuity, was appointed to remove things from the realm of perception. Bambitchell’s ’Special Works School’ takes its name from this military unit to investigate the connections between artistic practice and surveillant technologies. With this video, the duo ask what an overtly aesthetic approach to surveillance can render visible, or invisible. By framing surveillance as an aesthetic practice, ‘Special Works School’ hones in on the psychic, embodied and material dimensions of surveillance - both from the position of the surveillor and the surveilled.
Who directed Special Works School?
Special Works School was directed by Sharlene Bamboat.
How long is Special Works School?
Special Works School has a runtime of 27m (27 minutes).
What genre is Special Works School?
Special Works School is a Documentary film.
Where was Special Works School produced?
Special Works School was produced in Canada, Germany, United Kingdom.