Model of Jeremy Bentham’s panopticon, by Donatien Aubert
The creation of an aesthetic model
As part of his medium-length film L’héritage de Bentham, artist Donatien Aubert decided to bring Jeremy Bentham’s philosophy to life by creating a model of the panopticon he imagined in the 18th century.
To better question and problematize Jeremy Bentham‘s thought, Donatien Aubert presents one of Bentham’s flagship projects, the panopticon, a disturbing architectural device enabling global surveillance of individuals, by distributing them in cells around the center of the building, occupied by a guard tower.
This most accurate realization to date is a masterpiece of reconstruction and modern technology, combining historical rigor and industrial innovation. Conceived from the original plans drawn up at the request of the British philosopher, the artist drew on extensive documentation to meet the historical specifications.
Powder sintering manufacturing that respects every detail of the artwork
To realize this vision, the model was 3D printed by Initial using powder sintering technology in PA2200, a polymer material renowned for its robustness and precision. The model measures 358 x 329 x 229 mm, demonstrating meticulous attention to detail. The base, made from openwork sheet metal, also follows Bentham’s recommendations for the cladding of the watchtower, a nod to the original spirit of the project.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
Donatien Aubert’s creations
Donatien Aubert is an artist, researcher and author whose work examines digital cultures through a technocritical prism. A graduate of the École nationale supérieure d’Arts de Paris-Cergy and holder of a doctorate in comparative literature from the Sorbonne, he was a researcher at EnsadLab.
The artist specializes in the creation of hybrid works: videos, interactive installations, virtual reality experiences, sculptures created by computer-aided design and manufacture.
His hybrid works, combining art and reflection on technology, have been exhibited at several biennials, including Némo and Chroniques, and presented internationally (Taipei, Basel, Luxembourg, Goa, Montreal). Winner of the CNAP “Image 3.0” photographic commission in 2020, he pursues a career marked by critical reflection on technologies and their social impacts.
An immersive work of art for contemporary reflection
This model is more than just a technical feat. It is part of a wider artistic project. Bentham’s Legacy, explores the contemporary implications of utilitarianism, a doctrine based on the “felicitous calculation” of pleasures, which aims to evaluate the consequences of an action in terms of the pleasure or pain generated by that same action.
Presented as part of the exhibition PIB – Plaisir Intérieur Brut at Marseille’s Friche la Belle de Mai (until January 19, 2025), the model is part of an immersive installation that also includes a wallpaper depicting the settings of the medium-length film. Through a medium-length film in three segments (historical, surrealist and satirical), Donatien Aubert questions the paradoxes of Bentham’s legacy, in particular his influence on modern legislation and the tensions between freedom and isolation induced by the digital industry.
A collaboration showcasing our expertise in the production of aesthetic models
After its run in Marseille, L’héritage de Bentham will travel to Centquatre-Paris as part of the Némo Biennial from October 11, 2025,
Thanks to the collaboration between Donatien Aubert and our teams at Initial, this project illustrates how 3D printing can be used for cultural and intellectual projects.