Techno Feodal

Various printing techniques on lightbox frame and digital video loop. Techno Feodal takes its name from Techno-Feudalism, the book by Yanis Varoufakis that offers a provocative rethinking of contemporary capitalism. According to Varoufakis, capitalism is dead—killed not by revolution, but by its own internal contradictions. In its place, he argues, a new system has emerged: one that eerily echoes the structures of medieval feudalism.

In this system, wealth and power are no longer primarily generated through capital invested in production and trade, but through control of digital platforms and data. These platforms extract rents—not through selling products in a competitive market—but by dominating digital space, surveilling users, and leveraging algorithmic control.

Techno Feodal depicts one of these lords, styled as a Renaissance noble. His ceremonial attire traditionally symbolizes protection and duty toward his subjects—but his predatory gaze suggests a darker intent. The prayer beads in his hand are not devotional, but ornamental—tokens of distraction, nodding to the aesthetics of today’s attention economy and the decay of meaningful engagement, also known as "brainrot culture."

The screen embedded within the piece loops a reimagined broadcast: a livestream from the Trading Fraternity, discussing market instant reactions to economic policy announcements during the Trump administration. The overlay of financial commentary, political theater, and digital detritus creates an intentionally overwhelming visual texture—mirroring the cognitive overload of our current information environment.