The Sauchiehall Street artwork is bound to grab your attention…
‘The Eye of Samsung’ is watching over Sauchiehall Street today(Image: Supplied)
A mysterious art installation has been turning heads in Glasgow city centre today (May 27), after the ‘Eye of Samsung’ appeared on Sauchiehall Street. The Lord of the Rings – style piece is a comment on modern day addiction to smartphones, and coincides with the UK governments’ discussions for a social media ban for under 16s.
Titled ‘Doom Scroll’, the new art piece on the boarded-up former BHS building on Sauchiehall Street features a replica of the iconic Eye of Sauron from the fantasy film franchise, based on the novels by JRR Tolkien.
But inside the all-seeing eye of the dark wizard, a touchscreen smartphone can be seen built into the top of the tower.
A rhyme written on a black scroll in the panting reads: “One device to rule them all, one device to find them, one device to bring them all, and in the darkness bind them.”
The installation has been claimed by local artist Ashley Rawson, who is responsible for several protest art pieces in the city in recent months, including ‘Unexploded Vape’ which he built in the wake of the Union Street Fire.
Announcing ‘Doom Scroll’ on Instagram with a video of the new painting, the artist said: “On the day the government announced plans to ban under 16s from social media, I thought Glasgow needed ‘The Eye of Samsung’ watching over Sauchiehall Street.”
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The Glasgow artist is also well known for his mural of Donald Trump behind bars in the Gorbals area of the city.
You can find out more about Ashley Rawson and his art here.