During Proof of People event in London, Ania Catherine and Dejha Ti opened the ‘Operator Atelier’ where they created anonymized portraits of the collectors, merging durational performance, installation, and chance operations.

Each of 67 unique portraits was created through a durational performance installation in which the collector was an audience participant. The collector’s portrait was taken and anonymized using chance operations based on their rolling of dice–each number rolled determined which tools and processes were used on their portrait.

As web3 site-specific works, Privacy Portraits speak to the desire to hide within transparent systems and nod to select mechanisms of the PFP while bringing slowness and analog algorithms to the digital portrait. The portrait is a visual pseudonym of sorts, allowing the collector to be represented without being exposed.

The sitter is opting into a mysterious portrait that both represents them and masks them. The idea of being an ‘Unknown Sitter" by choice would be unthinkable in other historical periods. What does the desirability of commissioning an anonymized portrait say about the state of privacy today?

"Privacy Portraits" is part of Operator's Privacy Collection, a durational release of lots exploring the tension between privacy and transparency on the blockchain.