Art of the hidden

February 18, 2011 11:18 AM

How does an artist portray life in a secretive intelligence service? James Hart Dyke peeks into the U.K's Secret Intelligence Service (aka MI6), while Jill Magid shares her experience preparing pieces for the Dutch secret service AIVD.
posted by MILNEWSca (7 comments total)

nice portrait of "C"
posted by clavdivs at 11:31 AM on February 18, 2011

The concept of Magid's redacted novel Becoming Tarden is really interesting. I'm reminded of the bar of soap Gianni Motti sold a few years ago. It was supposedly made of excess fat from Silvio Berlusconi's liposuction. When you come up with an idea that really works with your theme, factuality isn't important.
posted by The Mouthchew at 12:33 PM on February 18, 2011

If we're talking about art made by spies about espionage then you have to include the works of former Mossad case officer Victor Ostrovsky, also the author of two books about his life in the Israeli secret service.
posted by scalefree at 12:47 PM on February 18, 2011

I prefer James Hart Dyke's treatment of the concept, far better than Jill Magid's multiple media approach.
posted by infini at 1:36 PM on February 18, 2011

The one called Contrasts is good.

"... after 14 hours on shift, and having exhausted all good Family Guy scenes they could reminisce over, Malcolm conceded that it was indeed his turn to make the coffees. On his return however, he would defeat Henry at Pocket Tanks and return to his rightful place at the top of the Kabul ladder."
posted by dougrayrankin at 2:32 PM on February 18, 2011

scalefree, have you read Ostrovsky?
posted by clavdivs at 4:40 PM on February 18, 2011

By Way of Deception is a barnburner.

I think these are cool.
posted by clavdivs at 4:47 PM on February 18, 2011