Video Art has two meanings; it is an artistic movement and a way to express artistic feelings. Video art has a long history, and now it is still present in modern artworks. It started its history in the 1960s when the first movements started. Then, throughout its history, it began using modern technologies as part of its artworks. Sometimes, it can be challenging to differentiate video art from cinema or television, but there are some characteristic features.
Bill Viola, Stations, 1994, MoMA
The birth of Video Art
Video art was established in the 1960s, and, as people talk, the first date was in March 1963, in the Parnassus gallery. The first author who started working in this style was Nam June Paik, who presented 13 televisions. They were made without the use of modern technologies, and so they are related to the history of television. Today, these televisions are a symbol of consumer society.
Nam June Paik, Exhibition of music electronic television, 1963
The role of the viewer
Video art has some differences from art painting canvas as it is considered as having another place for the viewer. In 1967, a new kind of camera was invented called the Portapack. Nam June Paik is a member of the Fluxus movement. These people talk about the nature of art and how the viewer is important in time.
One example of such a large art original is Present Continuous Past(s), made by Dan Graham in 1974. It depicts the character's relationship with the spectator in the background. This means that the viewer sees themselves in the picture.
Dan Graham, Present Continuous Past(s), 1974
The great video artists
One of the best artists in video art grey paintings is Bill Viola. The author addresses several great themes important in art: life and death, beauty, and nature. In his works, the author presents artistic aesthetics. Other important artists of video art include Bruce Nauman, Cindy Sherman, William Kentridge, and Pipilotti Rist. For example, Pipilotti Rist presented her artwork in Times Square. The artwork consists of 62 screens, each consisting of several videos. She also has artwork with a woman who has a deformed face.
Pipilotti Rist, Open my Glade, Times Square, 2016
Video Art: a vast artistic expression
Video art can sometimes be challenging to define in several words. The artists use a lot of techniques and styles, which can differ by theme, but still be video art. Some representatives of video art are Matthew Barney and Steve McQueen. There are also artists who call for unprofessional rendering, for example, Andy Warhol. Some focus on fictional office paintings, and others call for abstraction in video art. Finally, there are also some representatives of surrealism, like Buñuel.
JR, Ellis, 2015
The future of Video Art
Unlike black art abstract paintings, video art is constantly developing with the emergence of new technologies. Today, any person has a mobile phone, and most have a high-quality camera. The phones can also include a good camera, which you bring in your pocket. This means that your artwork can be easily published for millions of people to see it. Sometimes, video art has difficulties adapting to the era of new technologies. Yet, video art still greatly impacts the artistic era and human lives in general.