New York Letter: Videocassettes Exhibited at Leo Castelli Gallery
Art International, Jan. 1973, v. 17, no. 1, p. 64
A short review of a group video show at Leo Castelli Gallery in New York. The reviewer begins by asserting that video is very "in," and pointing out the differences between videotape's use on TV, which appeals to short attention spans and claims a high level of professionalism, and its use in art, which subverts the shortened TV duration and eschews professional sheen for bad sound, image resolution, and story. The author describes the gallery's efforts to create a comfortable environment for viewing the tapes, but notes that most viewers failed to sit through even short videos. She briefly details the content of the work, saving her highest praise for Joan Jonas' work, and especially for Robert Morris, whom she credits for using the medium expertly to communicate temporal and spatial phenomena, without relying on self-conscious markers of "handmade-ness."
ITEM 1973.017 – available for viewing in the Research Centre
Videos, Artworks and Artists Cited
Anxious Automation – Richard Serra
Vertical Roll – Joan Jonas
Left Side Right Side – Joan Jonas
Mirror Check – Joan Jonas
Sax – Richard Landry
One Two Three Four – Richard Landry
Studio 1 & 2 – Bruce Nauman
TV In TV Out – Keith Sonnier
Money Ribbon – Keith Sonnier
Mat Key Radio Track – Keith Sonnier
Neo-Classic – Robert Morris