Final Project Inspiration

I love art in motion- for me to be captivated, there needs to be some element of movement within the piece. i decided to do a video installation based  off of the ideas and themes found through 3 artists that I identify most with.

Bill Viola

I've talked about him a-plenty to you all, and yet I can't get enough. Redundancy aside, his work is so organized and clear on intent. I hope to grasp those aspects with in his work. Especially that of "The Raft." This idea of being knocked down but coming back up again.

The Raft

Marina Abramovic

I'm pretty sure I can't think of doing an installation wihtout mentioning this woman.

Her piece, "Art Must be Beautiful" influenced me a great deal- the repetition of a continuous thought, juxtaposed to harm that is self-afflicted.

Art Must be Beautiful

Allora & Calzadilla

There use of a theme to fuel a project and an idea to create an anthem 

Returning a Sound

More for final video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giS4d78APx4


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-ucf81MF8Y


More artists:

• Susan Giles
• Abel Gance split the screen three ways in King of the Forest to interpose a wiretapper between a pair of lovers on the line

Reading Response - Video Installation Art

This article touched on some very important things my art teacher stressed in high school. She would go on for ages about how different it was to look at an enormous painting in real life versus on the internet. For a while while I was in high school I always found that strange because I thought "well I know what paint looks like. It's not that hard to imagine what it looks like in person." Then I found the Google Art Project which shows these beautiful closeups of paintings where you can see everything down to the canvas fibers like you're looking through a magnifying glass and I began to understand that there's so much more texture and color happening that we don't get to see from an image.

Experiencing artwork is important in understanding what the artist meant for the viewer to feel. Looking at something not in it's physical space is like playing the game Telephone and getting secondhand information. This is especially important in relation to this project where we have to enter the space of the piece. A lot of great information to think about.

Esteban – Final Project Inspiration

This is a little late...but I think i finally found what I wanted to do for my project.

As previously seen through my work, I am fascinated by human behaviors and experiences. I think that the brain is an object largely underestimated by many and is just in the beginning stages of being understood (somewhat). I am very interested in Bill Viola's work with water and the feelings of being submerged. He recreates an experience that, for many is scary, and spins it into an almost heavenly and soothing one.

http://channel.louisiana.dk/video/bill-viola-tone-being

Recently, I have been reading a lot about mood spikes on individuals. My project serves as a platform to study subjects as they undergo a "positive spike" in their mood. I want to explore the relations between a physical sensation and the positivity that comes from it. It has been said that plunging in cold water can be very , yet positively good for a persons overall mood. I would create videos that recreate the sensation of dipping into cold water, and complement it by providing a cold bath for the audience (I need to figure out how I would go about this).

Reading Response - Video Installation Art

"The Body, the Image, and Space-in-Between" 

 This was a nice easy read. It gave some history and vocabulary but it also gave a good understanding of how your installation can make others feel. It’s completely different from a painting in a gallery. This is actually an “experience.” From the timing to the imagery you have to question whether your installation will be a memorable experience that the audience wants more of or will people walk out before it is over. This reading makes me think of how can I keep the viewer engaged. It’s not just one video they see it is the surrounding as a whole that will make the installation.

 From the historic John Hanhardt and his work on Wolf Vostell and Nam June Paik he set the bar in the early video installation age. "Electronic Superhighway" is one of my all-time favorite art pieces. He’s taught us that the world inspires us to make the “raw material” that we know as images. For my project I want to manipulate sound and images to make an overwhelming experience. All the things that surround me, the things that surround us all are going to be changed and we will present it in a new form. This new creation is something that you will only get the full experience from in person. It is a “you had to be there ….. ” moment. So what I took from the reading is that you have to make the moment right and special, because it’s just that “a moment” and it will either be a moment to remember or a moment to forget. What will yours be?

Final Project Proposal

For my final project I still want to use the birds to film their decay, and I've looked at a couple of videos, including the ones Dreezy posted. I'm considering changing the angle of the camera as the animals decompose, and setting up the installation with a video accompanying the result of the decomposition process and some related illustrations.

Inspiration

For those of you who are doing videos dealing with decay here are some cool examples for inspiration (my .gif may take a second to load):

Artist Presentation

http://prezi.com/dgioq0gsq5bb/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy

Final Project Ideation

I have no clue what I am going to do for the final project performance installation. But I would like to use multiple screens in the sense of a conversation kind of like Candice Breitz video.

But the following videos have interesting concepts:

Candice Breitz, Him and Her



In this piece she uses clips from different movies with the same actor and actress to create a conversation relating to relationships and the roles of each of the sexes. It uses multiple screens to portray this idea.

Vito Acconci, Claim



Claim Excerpts is a highly confrontational work, an exercise in self-induced, heightened behavioral states, and an aggressive psychological exploration of the artist/viewer relationship. 

Chris Cunningham, Monkey Drummer


The short video installation is a humorous, kinetic study of a mechanical being with nine appendages -- six arms, two legs, and one drumstick penis -- all seemingly controlled by the head of a monkey, though it's unclear what's in control. Each flesh-and-blood body part, jutting from a black steel appendage. The overall effect is somewhat off-putting. Each body part acts authentically human, while being controlled so mechanically.

Final Project Ideation

     Unfortunately my inspirational videos aren't available for download so I've just linked them here.
     I'm interested in working with time lapse photography for this project whether exclusively in photographs or with video. Going off of the last project where the subject was the body after death, I'm interested in recording the decomposition of birds. Earlier I found a small dead bird and have been wanting to work with the bones, but would have to let it decompose first before being able to use it.
      I think this project is a good opportunity to get started on that while also using the process of decay to my advantage. I'm thinking of comparing it to the decomposition of another object, maybe a leaf or food item since as we consume we also destroy.

Earth

 I absolutely loved this video. It's obviously not something I can really strive to do for this project since it uses footage shot by NASA, but I love how intriguing it was. I kept wanting to find out more, to have the planet keep turning, and show what auroras and thunderstorms look like from a distance. It's interesting because it's something we know happens and have seen from one angle, but the change in perspective and distance makes a huge impact.

Melancholia

This video mostly focuses on environments, but the periodic panning of the camera is intriguing and well handled. Although I know special equipment is needed to move the camera that way while still maintaining a steady image, I'm interested in the process nonetheless since it may be possible to improvise using makeshift gear.




Requiem

Manipulation of time and music are useful to reference in this video since I've previously had issues with joining sound and visuals cohesively. I think for this project I really need to sit down and explore my options in terms of audio and end on a strong note.

Final Project Ideas - "And the Countdown Begins"

For my project I want the audience to feel slightly overwhelmed so I want to use the multi screen effect similar to Doug Aitken's "Altered Earth" piece. For the theme with my piece I want to show the passing of time. I want to use my personal photos from the past couple of years but I also may include a recent time lapse video of a rose withering.

I want to use images to show the passing of time. If you have ever transferred images from your phone to iPhone you see a quick glimpse of each photo as it loads. I was transferring about a years worth of images and it's just amazing how you could see and understand the passing of time.

Christoph Rehage does this with his project when he was traveling he took images along the way and you could just feel the passing of time. My video will be like a countdown timer but instead of number counting down you see images.

My computer is always slow and lagging so when I transfer photos to iPhoto the images all pass at the same duration but then it would just pause because the program would freeze. This inspired. I want to pause the video on important images. I also want to have a portion when everything gets dark and flashes and is just extra overwhelming. ICE-ROD uses this quick overwhelming feeling in his "Epilepsy Collage."

A similar project that uses images to show someone's personal life with the passing of time is Angelo Merendino's work "My Wife's Fight with Breast Cancer" images are below. It's a mans story that is shown through blogs and photography, but you can get the understanding just by looking at the photography. It show time passing and it is also very personal. Some of the images I have include something similar with images of my grandmother and her battle with cancer this past spring. I'm thinking about the title being "And the Countdown Begins."

Final Project Proposal

Disclaimer: I do not have an idea yet!

Christian Marclay, "The Clock"

I loved how simple yet effective The Clock is, I want to watch the full 24 hours!  I was really inspired by the pattern and use of theme.  The idea of using segments from movies to create a new message/picture is one I would like to explore.

Candice Breitz, Him and Her

Again, the idea of using movie segments to create something new.  It's an interesting concept using artwork that is already in existence to make a statement to illustrate your beliefs.  In this case, the clips create a dialogue.  For the above two works, the audience doesn't get much from viewing it at the surface level, it requires thought, and I want to bring this to my installation.

And lastly, not to be cliche, but... 

Marina Abramovic, Rhythm 0

I wouldn't take my project to this extreme, but I am inspired by how Abramovic puts the audience in scenarios where there is no right or wrong answer, and they have complete control.  She pushes her boundaries, and the audience pushes theirs.

Project 5 Proposal (now with visuals!)

I'm not sure what I want to do yet, but I want to work with glitches. I like the idea of glitches visually and contextually and I want to see different ways I can apply them to real life? But I'm not exactly sure yet.

3 examples of glitch and video game things (not art based but the are examples)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4QoI6GL09c (glitches in real life)
http://animalnewyork.com/2013/super-mario-bros-mega-glitch-explosion-edition/ (turns glitches into interactive art)
vimeo.com/r00s (vimeo page for glitch artist Rosa Menkman)

Artist Presentation: Bill Viola

The Artist is Present: Response

A great documentary and a great artist. I was familiar with Abramovic's work from presentations in class, but this documentary delve into the artists as an individual removed from her art as well as the thought process behind the art. I am always fascinated by those who push limits, and Marina is a perfect example of an individual who successfully does this.

Artist is Present Response

The Artist is Present is by far the best documentary film I have ever watched, especially in this time based media class. This film followed Marina Abramovic through her day-to-day routine as she prepared for a major show titled "The Artist is Present." I particularly enjoyed this documentary because of its authenticity and enthusiasm that was displayed throughout the entire film. I suggest that this film is screened to classes to come because it helps with creating an idea for the final project.

Artist Presentation Essay: Bill Viola

Tatyana Mann 

November 15, 2013 

Su Ye 

Bill Viola: AN ARTIST PRESENTATION 

William "Bill" Viola is an internationally known artist, specializing in Video, Sound and Electronic Art in a field identified as New Media Art. He has been titled as a leading figure in his generation of artists within his field, most notably as one of the best-known video artists today. Viola was born in Queens, New York, January 25th, 1951. At the age of nine, in 1960, Bill Viola was given the captaincy for his school TV Squad, and so began a beautiful relationship. For 18 months, during the early 1970s, Viola went on as technical director of production of Art/Tapes/22 in Florence, Italy [Art/Tapes/22 was one of the first video art studios in Europe]. In 1973, he graduated with a Bachelor in Fine Arts from Syracuse University, where he studied Experimental Studios of the College of Visual and Performing Arts, while also participating in the University's then-exploratory "New Media" Program, a main focus of his art today. Post graduation, Viola went on to become a video technician at the Everson Museum of Art in Syracuse. In 1977, Bill Viola was invited by cultural arts director Kira Perov to showcase his videotapes at La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia. One year later, Perov joined Viola in New York; the two later married in 1980 and began what is now a 30+ /lifelong collaboration. In 1993, Viola moved to California and became an Advanced Video instructor at the California Institute of the Arts. In 1995, Viola represented the United States in the 46th Venice Biennale, where he displayed a series of works, Buried Secrets, with one of his most famous works, The Greeting, a modern interpretation of Pontormo's "The Visitation." Most recently, Bill Viola was awarded the 2009 Catalonia International Prize, XXI Premi Internacional Catalunya 2009, in Barcelona Spain. The award commends an individual "whose creative work has made a significant contribution to the development of cultural, scientific or human values anywhere in the world." For the last 40 years, Bill Viola has created videotapes, architectural installations, sound environments, and performances. He and his wife Kira live and work in Long Beach, California.     

Bill Viola's imagery and works are strongly rooted in contemporary life. However, with that being said, he also incorporates much of aged religious philosophy and iconography. He works largely in the aesthetic of the human consciousness and experience. Such examples are that of love, death, birth, and humanist spirituality. Throughout most of his career he has drawn inspiration from Buddhism, Mysticism and Sufism, evident through the transcendental quality of his work and pieces, where most are of individuals battling with nature. I believe much of Viola's fixation has to deal with his close encounter with drowning in a lake on a family vacation; he described the event as “… the most beautiful world I’ve ever seen in my life” and “without fear,” and “peaceful.” Some of his most notable works are those that showcase Viola's two-step process of production, of a  visual and conceptual duo: 

1. "The Space Between the Teeth"[1976] 

2. "The Veiling" [1995] 

3. "The Crossing" [1996] 

4. "The Quintet Series" [2000] 

5. "Silent Mountain" [2001] 

6. "Observance" [2002] 

7. "Ocean Without a Shore" [2007] 

8. "The Bodies of Light" [2009] 

Viola's work constantly incorporates a "slow motion" technique, that adds a painterly touch. It is utilized to force viewers to delve deeper into the works' meanings. An ongoing theme throughout his work is that of dualism; a concept in which one is to understand one aspect of the piece only when he/she comprehends its opposite. 

Artist Presentation Handouts: Bill Viola

Tatyana Mann 

November 15, 2013 

Su Ye 

Bill Viola: CLASS HANDOUT 

Bill Viola 

b. January 25, 1951 

Queens, New York 

Video Artist 

American            

_______ 

 "One of the things the camera taught me was to see the world, the same world that my eye sees, in its metaphoric, symbolic state. This condition is, in fact, always present, latent in the world around us."  --Bill Viola 

• Internationally known artist, specializing in Video, Sound and Electronic Art in a field identified as New Media Art 
• At the age of six, fell of a boat on holiday with family, and nearly drowned; thus explains his fixation on water 
• Began career at nine years old as Captain of school TV Squad 
• Technical  Director for Art/Tapes/22 in Florence, Italy 
• In 1973, graduated with a BFA in Experimental Studios of the College of Visual and Performing Arts - Syracuse University 
• Video technician at the Everson Museum of Art in Syracuse 
• In 1977, invited by cultural arts director Kira Perov to showcase his videotapes at La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia 
• Married Kira Perov in 1980; she became his executive director 
• In 1993, moved to California; became an Advanced Video instructor at the California Institute of the Arts 

• In 1995, represented the United States in the 46th Venice Biennale 
• Awarded the 2009 Catalonia International Prize, XXI Premi Internacional Catalunya 2009, in Barcelona Spain 
• Pioneer to the advancement and acknowledgement of Video Art as a contemporary medium.  
• Utilizes the theme of dualism into his work to force audiences to have a well-rounded comprehension of his work 
• Final products are usually in extreme slow motion, played on loop. Promotes a eerie, transcendental quality; almost dream-like 
• By invitation, Viola embarked on the Tristian Project [2004]; created video sequences that would be used as the backdrop to Wagner's opera Tristian and Isolde. 
• Some of his most notable video works are: "The Space Between the Teeth"[1976] ,"The Veiling" [1995] , "The Crossing" [1996] , "The Quintet Series" [2000] , "Silent Mountain" [2001] , "Observance" [2002] , "Ocean Without a Shore" [2007] , "The Bodies of Light" [2009]