VideoZone2
The second Video Zone Biennial., Tel
Aviv, 2004
[a.k.a videozone 2 or Video Zone 2]
The following are a few of the screening
programs:
// If you would like to update us with more info click
here //
Program 20:
Montevideo:
Recent Acquision from the Collection of the Netherlands Media
Art Institute
Part 2
Joke Ballintijn
Program 21:
Twist: Recent Video Art from Greece
Katerina Gregos
Twist brings together a diverse group of artists, mostly of
an emerging, younger generation. This selection offers an
introduction to some of the issues Greek artists are currently
preoccupied with and a general overview of video production
in Greece, the majority of which, it must be said, is created
with limited or minimal means. Though Greek contemporary art
is just beginning to emerge internationally, and not much
is yet known about it, most Greek artists tend to deal with
issues that are prevalent in contemporary artistic discourse
and their work is well-sited within an international context.
As elsewhere, one will find in this program heterogeneity
of approaches, a proliferation of artistic positions, sensibilities
and languages, and an absence of stylistic hegemony or dominant
set of conventions. What these artists have in common, rather,
are similar experiences of perceiving the world and their
surroundings, a metropolitan genealogy and the reality of
living in a rapidly changing chaotic, urban environment. Other
than that, it is virtually impossible to pin down their work
by "nationality" or other categorizing labels. The
Greek artists in VideoZone are less (if at all) concerned
with now tired and old-fashioned notions of "Greekness"
and national identity, notions that have been more significant
for artists of older generations. Their work is also less
overtly political as opposed to that of many artists from
some of the neighboring regions that have experienced or are
experiencing totalitarianism, violent conflict, and political
strife. Since the fall of the military dictatorship in 1973,
Greece has been privileged with stability, peace and economic
growth.
Younger generation Greek artists' work tends to be more sited
within an international context, make use of communication
networks, be more socially critical, globally aware, inter-disciplinary,
technologically savvy and disregard artistic hierarchies.
This is a generation that has grown up in Greece, but has
set its eyes on Europe and the rest of the world and has shed
the weighty "baggage" of the classical past which,
until recently, dominated a large segment of the cultural
production and discourse. This generation of Greek artists
could well be the most promising of the last fifty years,
as they are more "open" and receptive to every field
of experience at home or abroad in their quest to express
their own sense of individuality and to articulate a wide
variety of concerns, global as well as local.
Hence, this program features videos that examine a variety
of concerns: daily life occurrences, culture-identity issues,
socio-political questions and the impact of pop culture and
western lifestyles. On the other hand, one may also find here
videos by artists who feel more at home within the realm of
the imagination, and prefer creating a world that they themselves
would like to live in. From brief documentary-style narratives,
to constructed cinematic and mental spaces, digitally manipulated
alternative scenarios, from nostalgic recollections of the
past, to simple humorous vignettes and playful improvisations,
all of these works manifest a certain "twist" whether
formal or conceptual.
Program 22
White Noise
Sergio Edelstein and Doron Solomons
"White noise - noise in the background, voice disturbances
in a recording." (Babylon online dictionary)
Ballet in an office?! Dancing in a mall?! Image as noise?!
Word as silence?! According to some of the program's works,
all this is not only possible, but also unavoidable.
The (seemingly) natural link between sound, image and meaning
is being disrupted here, and rejoined in a way that examines
the interrelationship between them as well as between us.
(Doron Solomons)
Program 23
Artangel: Richard Billingham,
Fishtank
James LIngwood
Artangel has pioneered a new way of collaborating with artists
and engaging
audiences in an ambitious series
of highly successful commissions since the early 1990s. We've
created a reputation for producing work that people really
want to see and for which they often travel miles to experience.
This commitment to the production of powerful new ideas by
exceptional artists has been at the forefront of changing
attitudes and growing expectations amongst both artists and
audiences.
By producing the best art, in the best possible conditions,
Artangel has become part of the cultural debate, both in the
UK and abroad. A pathfinder in the process of achieving a
deeper understanding of the world. Which is what art always
offers those willing to take up the challenge.
Beyond the white walls of the gallery, the black box of the
theatre or the darkened interior of the cinema, there are
other forms of expression where the relationship between artist
and place is of primary importance. This is a relationship
which Artangel actively explores in events where context and
content are often indistinguishable. An artist's response
to the qualities and conditions of a particular place is central
to the development of a project. And finding the right place
is an integral part of the commissioning process we undertake.
Program 24
Kistune - Juao Penalva
Catarina Campino and David Barrow
Take me to Spain, Take me to Portugal is a selection of artists
who work with video in Spain and Portugal, two geographically
close countries, although historically living quite separately
for centuries. Recently that inevitable connection, that undeniable
cultural affinity, has been seen in an art world where Portuguese
artists work in Spain (as is the case of artist and curator
Catarina Campino) and where Spanish critics and curators look
towards Portugal and take great interest in its artistic production
(as is the case of David Barro). Thus the curators of Take
me to Portugal, Take me to Spain decided to take this collaboration
one step further, choosing jointly the artists in this program
and defining together the criteria for its selection. Contrary
to 9 Portuguese Artists, 18 Video Works (a 126'3" sample
by Miguel Wandschneider and Catarina Campino), in which a
certain generation of artists in their thirties were favored,
the current selection replaced the age and thematic restrictions
with general contemporary feeling.
As to the screening format in a film theater, it is understood
by these curators as one designed for exposure and debate
rather than exhibition, since some of the works require specific
spaces when installed. To resolve the problem of this "inappropriate
format," between projections of the different compilations,
the curators will introduce the concept behind each work or
group of works presented.
In addition, the curators, as well as the artists, wish to
emphasize that the geographical location of the biennial was
taken unto account and that some of the works were made specifically
for VideoZone taking on the political context surrounding
the event.
Go Back |