Video Art:: A medium discovering itself
Artnews, Jan. 1977, v. 76, no. 1, pp. 41-47
In this article, Price defines video art as a medium whose artists present diametrically opposing arguments for the nature of video. Beginning with the differences between film and video, emphasizing that video's loss of detail, instantaneity and novelty keep the video audience active where the film viewer is passive, Price turns his attention to presenting similar binaries within video art itself. Price asks a series of questions about video art that identify ideological oppositions within the form. He sets up categories that attempt to define video art as electronic or mechanical, organic or manmade, excessive or minimalist, simultaneous or asynchronous, transparent or artificial, for artists or for the public. Price provides close textual analysis of several artists to demonstrate the oppositions he has identified; however, these detailed descriptions do not always clearly support his intellectual argument for distinct and opposing categories.
ITEM 1977.017 – available for viewing in the Research Centre
Videos, Artworks and Artists Cited
The Medium is the Medium – Nam June Paik
Richard Serra
Claim – Vito Acconci
Douglas Davis
Firebird – Ron Hays
Through Europe on Half-Inch a Day – Shigeko Kubota
Zapoteca – Juan Downey
Video Weave – Stephen Beck
Pacing Upside Down – Bruce Nauman
Las Meniñas – Juan Downey
Inca One – Juan Downey
The Selling of New York – Nam June Paik
Video Herstory – Hermine Freed
Now – Lynda Benglis
Alan Kaprow
Talk Out – Douglas Davis
Boston Image – Douglas Davis
Video Sea – Nam June Paik
Nude Descending a Staircase – Shigeko Kubota
Animation One – Keith Sonnier
Tony Sinking into the Floor – Bruce Nauman
Video Buddha – Nam June Paik