Conceptual Art captures movement and the changes that
can occur over time.
Video and Digital
(Computer/Multimedia) Art Read pg. 288-289 in your Gr 11 textbook.
Video Art How does video/digital art subvert
Video art uses the moving image (like a traditional art values?
kind of moving canvas) and consists of
video and/or audio data (sound). The • passing of time can be captured
artform makes use of the apparatuses and • presentation of multiple viewpoints
processes of television and video. • juxtaposition of images
• simulation of visual realities
• inclusion of sound
Digital Art (Computer/Multimedia Art) • interactivity in artworks
Makes use of digital technology, e.g.
computers, DVDs, Internet, phones, digital Þ This has transformed the creative
cameras, monitors, projectors, AI-art. process and reception of these
artworks
Instead of creating a work of art from
paint, the video artist creates the art work • The focus is on art as a form of
out of the elements which make up a communication, rather than art as an
video: light, colour, movement, the object that can sold (commodified
passage of time. object).
It can also be recording of a performance • Video and digital artworks can be
art piece, where the artist performs, and reproduced endlessly.
uses his/her own body
• This contributes to the move away
from the glorified, unique art object.
Sometimes a video piece is abstract, like
an abstract painting it does not contain • Greater accessibility to the artwork –
references to the external world. Or it can as it can be broadcasted / shared
be figurative and feature recognisable online over long distances
people, places and things.
• Interactive abilities has changed the
In video art, movement itself becomes a role of the artist, as he/she is not the
major formal element in the make-up of only creator of the work anymore.
the work. Other formal elements which
make up video art are similar to the • The viewer can be allowed to
elements dealt with by photographers: participate in manipulating/changing
colour, composition, framing, light, the artwork which can have an impact
texture. on the meaning.
A Video Art piece is like a moving • The artist’s role is now similar to a
photograph, while a photograph captures systems designer.
time in a still, static moment, video art
, BILL VIOLA 1951 - (*dualities: two aspects of something / two
contrasts)
American
o birth and death
o light and dark
o old and new
o presence and absence
o materiality and essence
Viola draws upon a multitude of spiritual
beliefs in his exploration of the human
condition (how people feel and think). He
looks at many different spiritual beliefs,
like Christian mysticism, Zen Buddhism,
and Islamic Sufism.
You can see these influences in his
reflective, meditative artworks. He
believes in the unifying power of religion
Bill Viola was born in New York in 1951 and the significant role of art in this
and is widely regarded as one of the most relationship. His artworks alludes to (hint
significant pioneers of video art. at) religious ceremonies like baptisms and
resurrection. Their titles often evoke
His multisensory, *visceral artworks emotions tied to theology and/or
explore ‘spirituality’ by looking at mythology.
fundamental human experiences such as
birth, death and aspects of Even though Viola's art is very spiritual,
consciousness. it's not about any specific religion. He
(*visceral: instinctive, not intellectual) doesn't try to convince people of any
beliefs or attempt to depict a divinity or
Viola’s practice is founded on the belief afterlife.
that a desperate awareness of death is
bound up in the human condition. Instead, he focuses on how people fit into
the world spiritually. His videos are like
Þ These complex themes evolved from a stories that represent human experiences
near-death experience at the age of (“allegorical representations of human
six when Viola fell into a lake and saw experience”).
“the most beautiful world I’ve ever
seen … a kind of paradise”, shattering The transcendental (spiritual) power of
his understanding of the world and Viola’s works lies in their transformative
highlighting the importance of what ability. It can change how people
lies below the surface of see/perceive their own everyday worlds.
consciousness.
He comments, “Part of our nature as
Powerful imagery and recurring motifs of human beings is a spiritual dimension, not
water, drowning, and rebirth convey his simply the expression of religion … It is
fascination with the human condition and really one of the properties or basic
the *dualities that accompany it: principles of human beings”.
can occur over time.
Video and Digital
(Computer/Multimedia) Art Read pg. 288-289 in your Gr 11 textbook.
Video Art How does video/digital art subvert
Video art uses the moving image (like a traditional art values?
kind of moving canvas) and consists of
video and/or audio data (sound). The • passing of time can be captured
artform makes use of the apparatuses and • presentation of multiple viewpoints
processes of television and video. • juxtaposition of images
• simulation of visual realities
• inclusion of sound
Digital Art (Computer/Multimedia Art) • interactivity in artworks
Makes use of digital technology, e.g.
computers, DVDs, Internet, phones, digital Þ This has transformed the creative
cameras, monitors, projectors, AI-art. process and reception of these
artworks
Instead of creating a work of art from
paint, the video artist creates the art work • The focus is on art as a form of
out of the elements which make up a communication, rather than art as an
video: light, colour, movement, the object that can sold (commodified
passage of time. object).
It can also be recording of a performance • Video and digital artworks can be
art piece, where the artist performs, and reproduced endlessly.
uses his/her own body
• This contributes to the move away
from the glorified, unique art object.
Sometimes a video piece is abstract, like
an abstract painting it does not contain • Greater accessibility to the artwork –
references to the external world. Or it can as it can be broadcasted / shared
be figurative and feature recognisable online over long distances
people, places and things.
• Interactive abilities has changed the
In video art, movement itself becomes a role of the artist, as he/she is not the
major formal element in the make-up of only creator of the work anymore.
the work. Other formal elements which
make up video art are similar to the • The viewer can be allowed to
elements dealt with by photographers: participate in manipulating/changing
colour, composition, framing, light, the artwork which can have an impact
texture. on the meaning.
A Video Art piece is like a moving • The artist’s role is now similar to a
photograph, while a photograph captures systems designer.
time in a still, static moment, video art
, BILL VIOLA 1951 - (*dualities: two aspects of something / two
contrasts)
American
o birth and death
o light and dark
o old and new
o presence and absence
o materiality and essence
Viola draws upon a multitude of spiritual
beliefs in his exploration of the human
condition (how people feel and think). He
looks at many different spiritual beliefs,
like Christian mysticism, Zen Buddhism,
and Islamic Sufism.
You can see these influences in his
reflective, meditative artworks. He
believes in the unifying power of religion
Bill Viola was born in New York in 1951 and the significant role of art in this
and is widely regarded as one of the most relationship. His artworks alludes to (hint
significant pioneers of video art. at) religious ceremonies like baptisms and
resurrection. Their titles often evoke
His multisensory, *visceral artworks emotions tied to theology and/or
explore ‘spirituality’ by looking at mythology.
fundamental human experiences such as
birth, death and aspects of Even though Viola's art is very spiritual,
consciousness. it's not about any specific religion. He
(*visceral: instinctive, not intellectual) doesn't try to convince people of any
beliefs or attempt to depict a divinity or
Viola’s practice is founded on the belief afterlife.
that a desperate awareness of death is
bound up in the human condition. Instead, he focuses on how people fit into
the world spiritually. His videos are like
Þ These complex themes evolved from a stories that represent human experiences
near-death experience at the age of (“allegorical representations of human
six when Viola fell into a lake and saw experience”).
“the most beautiful world I’ve ever
seen … a kind of paradise”, shattering The transcendental (spiritual) power of
his understanding of the world and Viola’s works lies in their transformative
highlighting the importance of what ability. It can change how people
lies below the surface of see/perceive their own everyday worlds.
consciousness.
He comments, “Part of our nature as
Powerful imagery and recurring motifs of human beings is a spiritual dimension, not
water, drowning, and rebirth convey his simply the expression of religion … It is
fascination with the human condition and really one of the properties or basic
the *dualities that accompany it: principles of human beings”.
