Abstract
This article discusses street mirrors or ‘gossip mirrors’, in terms of urban social relations and surveillance. Street mirrors were introduced to coastal towns in Sweden and Finland in the 18th and early 19th centuries and may still be found in well-preserved towns with historic wooden centres. The authors argue that the introduction of monitoring and spying devices, such as street mirrors, occurred in the 18th century due to increased urban populations and feelings of insecurity caused by greater regional and transnational mobility. Mirrors, in this sense, were one
material mechanism in the process of modernization and the development of individuality.
material mechanism in the process of modernization and the development of individuality.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 145-167 |
Number of pages | 23 |
Journal | Journal of Material Culture |
Volume | 19 |
Issue number | 2 |
Early online date | 20 Feb 2014 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jun 2014 |
Keywords
- Gossip
- Identity
- Individuality
- Street mirrors
- Surveillance