Video Art

Throughout the chapter, Rush throughly explained the evolution of video into becoming a medium for art. One particular part that really interested me was when he explained how many authors find their own spatial identity through the process of making a video or just in general through this medium. He includes artists such as Peter Campus, Chris Burden and Ana Mendieta, all who included their own bodies in their pieces. Again this encouraged self-exploration and in a way these artists learned about themselves in a very distinctive, new way. He even goes to say how well known artists like Andy Warhol, who shared significant things about his daily life, sometimes used video as a form of diary. Realizing how personal and symbolic these art pieces become to their artists simply amazes me. Sometimes something so simple or unimportant becomes magnificent once explained and this is crucial to have in mind when viewing performance pieces. Another point I truly find relevant to the rise of video as a more artistic medium was the way Rush discussed how social movements and just overall anything occurring during the time when video was evolving impacted this medium. Topics such as gender, sexuality and feminism all "contributed to the cultural contexts in which video art emerged". These became critical in order for video to develop into a more expressive, artistic tool. The reason why I say this is important is because what happens around society impacts and transforms art mediums and video is a good example that proves this. Lastly I just wanted to mention that video in general is unique compared to any other medium because of its spontaneity and instantaneity. We, as artists, can plan for an experience but never fully prepare the experience and that is the trait that makes video so powerful.
An artist that caught my attention was Hannah Wilke, who with her videos, explored "the dynamics of the artist and her body in relation to conventional portrayals of women".The diminishing way the female body was portrayed at the time became the source of inspiration for this piece.

 

 Here is another video that explains how political causes are linked and become the source of inspiration for some artist's pieces. This video explains the work of Ana Mendieta.