Video Art part 1
Video Art All art is about communication, but the video arts in particular are about mass communication. Video depends upon the current state of technological developments more than almost any other medium.
Which 2 crucial inventions led to the birth of video?
Video Art 2 crucial inventions that led to the birth of video: - a video camera - a TV set
How Does It Work? Video cameras are used primarily in 2 modes: 1) a live broadcast, where the camera feeds real time images directly to a screen. 2) the images are recorded to a storage device for archiving or further processing such as: videotape CD-Rom mini DV tape
Video Art. Where Did It All Start? The 1st official TV broadcast in the U.S. – 1939 (in conjunction with the NYC World’s Fair) TV becomes part of the American life – 1950s By 1953 – 2/3rds of American households have TVs By 1960 – up to 90% TVs were initially made for the public, video cameras only for professionals (Ex: major network studios)
Video Art. Where Did It All Start? The 1st portable video camera with a magnetic tape recorder is released and marketed to the general public – 1960 Individual artists start to experiment with the new medium. Video art is born – mid 1960s
Robert Rauschenberg, NYC The Art World in the 1950s-60s Artists are experimenting with all kinds of mediums, Trying to brake away from the traditional notions of art. Robert Rauschenberg, NYC
The Art World in the 1950s-60s There no longer any particular materials that enjoy the privilege of being immediately recognizable as art media. Andy Goldsworthy – earth art installation James Turrell, “Gard Red” (1968) – mixed media installation
Marcel Duchamp: Fountain (1917), Bicycle Wheel (1951) The Art World in the 1950s-60s Anything can become art, even ready-made objects. The meaning of an artwork does not necessarily lie within it, but often times arises out of the context in which it exists. Marcel Duchamp: Fountain (1917), Bicycle Wheel (1951)
The Art World in the 1950s-60s Dada & Fluxus – emphasis on formal instructions & process + the willingness to embrace chance. In life, things just happen. Ex: Marcel Duchamp, “Rotary Glass Plates”, 1920 Ex: Nam June Paik, “Random Access”, 1963
The Art World in the 1950s-60s Alan Kaprow coins the term “lifelike art”. New art forms are created such as performance art, happenings, etc. The distinction between art and the everyday is no longer relevant.
Audience Becomes Part of the Work “To look at art is not to consume it passively, but to become part of a world in which both that art and the spectator belong. Looking is not passive, it does not leave things unchanged.” – Michael Rush Yoko Ono, Wish Tree Yoko Ono, Cut Piece
Andy Warhol James Rosenquist The Art World in the 1950s-60s Pop artists often times drew their inspiration from the banality of urban America. Their work acted as a critique of the commercialization of mass media, TV, advertising, consumption, etc. Andy Warhol James Rosenquist
Bruce Nauman, “Composite Photo of 2 Messes on the Studio Floor”, 1967 The Art World in the 1950s-60s A “dematerialization” of art occurs as artists highlight the importance of the creative process over the final product. Ex: art made of the leftovers of some prior activity. Bruce Nauman, “Composite Photo of 2 Messes on the Studio Floor”, 1967
Ex: Joseph Kosuth, “One of The Three Chairs”, 1965 Conceptual Art: 1950s-70s In Conceptual Art, “the idea becomes the machine that drives the work.” (Sol LeWitt) Ex: Joseph Kosuth, “One of The Three Chairs”, 1965
Conceptual Art: 1950s-70s As Video Art develops: It starts having a dialog with Mass Media: TV, Radio, etc. It becomes part of installation and performance art (time & space are the important new elements explored by artists)
Video Art vs Film & Television “By the 1960s the total commercialization of corporate television had been accomplished, & to media watchdogs and many artists, television was becoming the enemy. Americans were watching up to 7 hours of TV daily and a new consumer society was forming...” - Michael Rush, New Media in Art
Video, Film, TV – Main Differences Video work is not a commercial product for sale or mass consumption. “Artful techniques may enliven commercial TV, ads, etc., but these techniques are not in themselves what we would call art. Art lies in the intentionality of the artist…to create a moment of personal expression.” – Michael Rush Videos are made by professional artists, who started to use moving images as an extension of their artistic practice.