Knowledge Center Videos - Artist Response

Gary Hill: I Believe it is an Image
Gary Hill’s video art shows interesting ideas that bring people to “think out loud”. His work portrays experimental, conceptual, technical, integrating rhythm, light, and sound producing work, which is rich with energy and movement. Much of his work seems to focus on sensory experiences, varying from the usage of strobe lights and flashes in a dark room, to the sound of vibration of sand on top of a speaker. In some of his work, he likes to use multiple cameras and angles to portray the feeling of creating that film. For example, if there was a camera on his foot, only one television will show the video from his foot. Other times he shows images flashing very quickly on and off on the screen.  For example, a flashing strobe light against a wall as he runs into it, shouting a word. His work comes across as very nonsensical, as he creates an uncomfortable feeling of vertigo, almost like a triptych video. However, I really enjoyed it along with the unique and interesting use of video affects, his editing skills, and how it adds to the overall image.  

Shirin Neshat: The Woman Moves

Neshat's work carries strong feminist and anti-militarism themes by addressing the complex forces throughout the world.  It explores the social, political, and psychological dimensions of women's experiences. As an acclaimed photographer, filmmaker, and video artist, she reads into feminism and cultural differences as she focuses and asks questions about gender roles in sexuality in the Middle East. Her creation crosses the line between video art and traditional cinema film as the viewer is considered passive in the cinema. This work emphasizes the bravery of women who rebel and break out from traditional Muslim society. It is an interesting movie for the modern day society. It is about an Iranian woman who now lives in the United States, demonstrating the statement of throwing off traditional values and criticizing Iranian culture. You get to hear her story and then see parts of her art installations. All of the videos shown symbolize women's exclusion from the world of men, and how the world might be a more peaceful and richer place if women were allowed greater participation. 

Marlon Riggs: Tongues United

Riggs’ documentary focuses on the hardships of gay black men, their suffrage, and how their lives are in the contemporary era. The films footage consists of Hemphill reciting his poetry, Riggs telling his story of growing up, scenes of men in social interaction and dance, and various comic riffs. Video art in this documentary emphasizes sound and rhythm; the stories of their lives are told in a poetic approach. The art complex of the movie was intriguing because of the repetition of words and the graphic photographs that rolled through the video.  Although it is quite different from other films, it is not necessarily a documentary about art, but about the black gay community. While art is not a theme of this film itself, it is certainly a work of art. 

My Thoughts Summarized:

All three documentaries were very interesting to watch. They each approached the concept of video art very differently in order to convey different ideas and messages.  Gary Hill’s idea of The Crossbow Project was intriguing due to its relationship between movements and its presentation with simultaneous recordings. The placement of the television screens for each video was not only logical but also aesthetically beautiful with balance. Shirin Netshat’s works were my personal favorites out of all three video art documentaries.  This is not just because of her central focus on feminism, but also her rendering of how her messages are carried out. Her craftsmanship of the video was almost too fine, to the point where it gives a chill to the viewers. Tongues United was based on real experiences, telling the audience a story about controversial topics.  Overall, the videos showed a variety of video art forms and a great spectrum of directions to take when working with video as a medium. My experience with video art is minimal, but through the documentaries, I feel more familiarized and knowledgeable. I thought the three videos were effective in their use of video footage, editing, and sound contribution.