Spring Break
Fairbanks showcases video art
Well-known artist Bill Viola's video exhibits are on display; he will also visit campus
Nicholas T. Brouchard
Issue date: 3/13/07 Section: News
"Bill Viola is one of the world's most well-known video artists, and this exhibit is a rare, world class experience," said Kirsi Peltomaki, professor of art history.
Viola's works, including "Observance" and "The Reflecting Pool," will be on display in the Fairbanks Art Gallery until March 24.
"Observance" is a large room with dark tones and small minimalist seating. In both exhibits, the showing is through a large, mounted, high definition monitor. A steady stream of people slowly moves forward toward the viewer. Each person is grieving as they reach the front of the line. When they reach the front they try to reach out to the viewer in their own way and then turn and head to the back of the line.
"The Reflecting Pool" is a large closed in room. A man emerges from the forest and stands before a pool of water. He leaps up and time suddenly stops. A series of events in the pool occur while the jumper remains frozen. Time moves strangely and then the man emerges from the pool and heads off into the forest.
"It shows how simple something can be, but still bring a lot of meaning," Amy Dasso, a student in graphic design, said about "Observance."
"Observance" and "The Reflecting Pool" are two examples of "video installations," the hallmark art form of Viola. This type of work uses special architectural design in combination with Viola's video art to reach an experience with the audience.
Many are excited that Viola will be coming to OSU later this week. A reception for the artist will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday in the LaSells Stewart Center and Viola will give lecture at 7 p.m. in the Austin Auditorium titled "The Voyage of No Return."
"OSU is the first institution to my knowledge to host Viola in Oregon in 10 years," said John Maul, chair of the art department. Viola's visit is being hosted by the Visiting Artists and Scholars committee and is aimed at bringing renowned artists and experts to campus to benefit current art students by giving them a connection to world of professional art.
"We have many artists that are too busy to come," said Peltomaki, a member of the committee. "We are lucky that Viola has agreed to visit."
But Viola has also made a point of meeting with students.
"Like many top artists, Viola has shown a lot of humility. We wrote an itinerary and he sent it back saying he wanted to have more contact with the students." Maul said.
Maul sees the visit as an exceptional opportunity for art students to learn one on one from the best.
"The artists at the top of their field provide a lot of knowledge to those just beginning," Maul said.
Viola is a 1973 graduate of Syracuse University with more than 35 years of work in art. He has collected honorary doctorates from various world authorities in art and numerous awards. His collaborations are varied from works with the composer David Tudor to video installations for the Nine Inch Nails "Fragility" world tour.
Viola's works, including "Observance" and "The Reflecting Pool," will be on display in the Fairbanks Art Gallery until March 24.
"Observance" is a large room with dark tones and small minimalist seating. In both exhibits, the showing is through a large, mounted, high definition monitor. A steady stream of people slowly moves forward toward the viewer. Each person is grieving as they reach the front of the line. When they reach the front they try to reach out to the viewer in their own way and then turn and head to the back of the line.
"The Reflecting Pool" is a large closed in room. A man emerges from the forest and stands before a pool of water. He leaps up and time suddenly stops. A series of events in the pool occur while the jumper remains frozen. Time moves strangely and then the man emerges from the pool and heads off into the forest.
"It shows how simple something can be, but still bring a lot of meaning," Amy Dasso, a student in graphic design, said about "Observance."
"Observance" and "The Reflecting Pool" are two examples of "video installations," the hallmark art form of Viola. This type of work uses special architectural design in combination with Viola's video art to reach an experience with the audience.
Many are excited that Viola will be coming to OSU later this week. A reception for the artist will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday in the LaSells Stewart Center and Viola will give lecture at 7 p.m. in the Austin Auditorium titled "The Voyage of No Return."
"OSU is the first institution to my knowledge to host Viola in Oregon in 10 years," said John Maul, chair of the art department. Viola's visit is being hosted by the Visiting Artists and Scholars committee and is aimed at bringing renowned artists and experts to campus to benefit current art students by giving them a connection to world of professional art.
"We have many artists that are too busy to come," said Peltomaki, a member of the committee. "We are lucky that Viola has agreed to visit."
But Viola has also made a point of meeting with students.
"Like many top artists, Viola has shown a lot of humility. We wrote an itinerary and he sent it back saying he wanted to have more contact with the students." Maul said.
Maul sees the visit as an exceptional opportunity for art students to learn one on one from the best.
"The artists at the top of their field provide a lot of knowledge to those just beginning," Maul said.
Viola is a 1973 graduate of Syracuse University with more than 35 years of work in art. He has collected honorary doctorates from various world authorities in art and numerous awards. His collaborations are varied from works with the composer David Tudor to video installations for the Nine Inch Nails "Fragility" world tour.
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