Although we share a great deal of our privacy and personal information through social media and online, the physical things we don’t show but carry with us in public say a lot about us.

The invisible contents of backpacks, handbags, or pockets thus become visual material for performative work. As an artist at the opening of my own exhibition, I took on the role of security guard at the entrance to the gallery. Behind me in the gallery space was a table with a camera, computer and printer. In exchange for permission to enter, I asked visitors to show me the contents of their pockets and bags. I placed the personal belongings of each individual visitor on the table, photographed them, printed them on the spot, and attached the prints to the gallery wall. The personal belongings were then returned to their owners. Visitors were not asked for their names or personal information. The photographs on display therefore anonymously showed the objects that were in the gallery after the inspection, without being visible or accessible to others, nor did it become known what belonged to whom.

The inspiration for the performance comes from my experience at airports, as I have often thought about the position of people who spend days checking the contents of strangers' luggage.