Wednesday, February 19, 2014

The Origins of Video Art

In the scheme of art history, video art is relatively recent, but seems a lot more relevant to the average person.  A main premise of this reading is the idea that almost anyone can create video art as video cameras are easily accessible.  Especially today, most people can record video on their smart phones.  Yet, the reading makes a clear distinction between video art and commercialized television.  I see commercialized television as a way of telling a story or providing entertainment to a viewer, with exceptions.  Video art, contrarily, is usually more conceptual and thoughtful.  Often the artist will use this form to make a statement, whether political or social.  Since video is often a lot more realistic and easier to interpret than other art forms, more people are apt to experiment with it and choose it to display a message.

As I mentioned, for more recent video art, convenience can be key.  This is seen in the "iPhone Film Festival" in which artists without access to expensive film equipment or locations submit short films shot mostly on iPhones.  The film currently being displayed on the home page is called "USA Trip 2012" and was shot on and iPhone and a GoPro.  USA Trip 2012

Additionally, a friend from high school made a short experimental film with a pretty mediocre camera.  It's definitely more on the abstract side, but I believe his goal was to expose consumerism and materialism and promote environmental awareness.  Even so, this piece shows that anyone, really, can create video art that is interesting and captivating, but more importantly can promote a message and take a stance on something. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLwammQjQeQ

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