Response: Video Art

The accessibility of video attracted many artists. Currently, video is not only accessible for the creator but also for the viewer. In this era it is up to the viewer to choose which message they wish to take in. This is part of the constant redefinition of art.

Films are an easy way to capture one’s point of view. Even with the short attention span of our society, movie theatres manage to make generous profit. Cinema is about 22 times longer than any YouTube clip. In this leaves plenty of time for dynamic cuts and many storylines and sub plots.  Be it gay, feminist or otherwise revolutionary, the speed at which the message is transmitted is unequalled. The viewer can simply sit down because television and internet has prepared their mind for the incredible turn of events to follow. McLuhan would call this a hot medium!

If the purpose of art is to evoke, Matthew Barney is an expert. In his art he evokes impossible and wonderful images. I am also fond of the tease that is creating a massive interactive art piece. Viewer see the Guggenheim as a whole and are fed a playful childlike idea to make this space a castle, fort, spaceship or other sanctuary where anything can happen. It is more than convenient to have the resources to be able to produce the larger than life elements for his works. This gives Barney total creative freedom. His only constraint is his mind. This is in fact no constraint. Even in the interview, listening to the artist is an experience. Barney is an individual as complex as his pieces. He truly lives his art. Are video games in fact be the next interactive installations?

Related Links

• Blast from the past – The IBM Eurodisc
• How the mind reacts to movies – and other great blog entries.
• Like his take on the Cremaster Cycle
• This Google search gives you a timeline of the evolution of video with statistics
• Sadie Benning – very interesting filmmaker
• Are video games art? Ask a video game designer.