VIDEO ART

Intro to Digital Arts
Spring 2007

Blog Entry: Project 2-1 (Reading Response QUIZ)


Reading #2-1: "Video Art", pp. 78-113 by Michael Rush from New Media in Late 20th Century Art

1) Name an Early artist mentioned in the article for CONCEPTUAL WORK performing in front of the camera.
Describe a work. (2 points) One of the artists mentioned associated with conceptualism is Vito Acconci in his work called Theme Song (1973) he lies on the floor inches from the camera, in front of a black and white striped couch and "attempts to seduce the veiwer to join him." I want you in side me," he pleads repeatedly as he smokes an endless cigarette and shifts positions on the floor.

2) Name an artist mentioned who deals with Personal Narrative. Describe a work. (2 points) Juan Downey is a Chilean artist who lived in New York for many years in Moving (1974) Downey used a Portapak camera and created a video diary of his travels acrossed America, Peru, Bolivia, and down to his native Chile in an attempt to recover his lost self.

3) Describe the piece you were most interested in viewing after reading this article. Look the work up on the links, and expand on Rush's comments.(2 points) I Thought that the Factory Diaries between 1970 and 1976 by Andy Warhol would be really cool to see this is a time when I was in high school and was out partying, it kind of feels like a connection to my youth. I have seen some footage of him in his studio from Factory Diaries in a photography class and I think elsewhere in my long life perhaps P.B.S. He was a strange cat, but those were some strange times.

4) What do you better understand now about Video Art? (2 points) The things that I better understand are that there is a better respect for the primative work even beginning in the sixties when the pioneers of video art and electronic art was just experimental i didn't think too many younger artists were very concerned with the old low tech stuff. Also, I Now think Video Art is more of a communication art after reading this article my scope or focus of Video Art is a lot wider angle. I see a greater link with art and visual communication technology, with unlimited possibilities.

5) Based on Rush and this article, what makes Video Art vs. an "artful video"? (2 points) in the article 'Art' and 'artful' are said to be separate, though linked terms that exist to help us differentiate between what can and cannot be considered to be art. I believe Art is an expression of the spirit of man and the world around him and artfulness is something creative but born out of a desire to sell something or communicate an idea. Most simply and aptly put by Rush, "Art lies in the intentionality of the artist.