Video and Intermedia: Its Up To You- Fernando Parnes

Is it art? Truly a question with endless possibilities: A criticism, a honest question, a quiz... indeed there are those and many more. No wonder it is related to intermedia by Foster; since (according to Foster himself) intermedia art is political, it too could be seen in many ways, and by its own definition, is affected by the different ways it is seen. A perfect example of this is Captain Murphy's 30 minute video/ mixtape Duality:
(BE WARNED, THIS VIDEO IS INTENDED FOR MATURE AUDIENCES, VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldRhniqAI6s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldRhniqAI6sThe video fits Foster's description of Intermedia (following the example of Duchamp's 'Fountain'): it is a balance and mixture of emotion, artistic sensibility and art itself. It is at its core a emotional and sensory experience, designed to take the viewer off their regular axis to be uncomfortable and amazed at the same time. A balance of sound and video is achieved designed to take the viewer inside the mind of the artist, but more importantly, designed to change in lieu of the way it affects the mind of the viewer.
 Which brings us back tot he question: is it art? Some will invariably say no; they might consider rap as not being music, the video as being nonsensical and irrelevant. Some will follow the artists dream, in this particular case a guide to being a cult leader, with underlying messages about the dangers of being brainwashed, a corrupt society and the mold-ability of the human mind which Captain Murphy does through his art, and cult leaders through their manipulation. Some will see it purely as a sensory experience. An amalgamation of video and sound designed to take you on a mental journey through your own psyche. Our own messages and desires are inevitably added to the project, and because of this the project is different. Thus lies the essence of Intermedia. It is expected to change and to mold. It is not stationary nor can it be; by its very nature, intermedia is controversy. It is not comfortable or stable,and at any point one might find a reason to discard it. But one also has the potential to bring it back to life in a way it never was before.
Is it art? It can always be.