Today we discussed video art and the difference between that and film. Film generally has a linear plot with direction which has the purpose to entertain. It aims to create emotions for the viewer, manipulating one to feel certain emotions while watching. Meanwhile, video art has a completely different narrative structure as it is made to express something, with the freedom of the films narrative form. We watched part of a Matthew Barney film, scenes that involved these bully cars bashing up this other old fashioned car, as well as shots of this man pouring mud in a lift etc. No one knows what it is about, so it can mean anything that the viewer projects onto it. Which is what video art is trying to achieve. I feel bad admitting this, but I found this piece quite tedious and I am sorry for not being able to fully accepting it.
So instead, let's talk about films: video art can be seen as refreshing, as the viewer is not dictated by a story. However, I personally love following a story. Film is a form of escapism for a viewer, it allows for the ability to enter the world of others and to no longer be aware of your surrounding in the real world. For me, a narrative in general, whether it is in a book or in television, it is a relief, a break, to see life through another's eyes. I don't see that as a manipulations (because once the narration has ended, I return to my life and back to me), I see it as a gift to look and feel through another. Being involved in a film, is an exercise in empathy, whereas video art can be quite isolating at times.
We discussed that many films have predictable formulas and endings, which is what makes video art engaging to some, but for me and for many others, sometimes the predictable is comforting. Maybe this is because in the real world, our own lives are not predictable and anything could happen. I'm usually incredibly fussy with films, but when I like something, I can watch it again and again. I guess this makes me boring, but some movies, I find the whole experience reassuring, able to enjoy some films as if I've never seen them before. For example, my all time favourite movie is the 1990 film 'Ghost' with Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg. The acting is definitely not the greatest, the story is certainly a cliche and some of the lines are just plain corny to the point of sickening. But I still laugh and cry every single time and the love between the characters of Sam and Molly still makes me smile. And that's what makes a good movie- not the talent, but how it affects a viewer. So even though so many people would cringe when watching this movie and I even make fun of it, if anyone told me it was terrible and criticised, god help them because I'll defend this movie to the end.
Even though I did criticise Matthew Barney's film, I am not saying that video art is tedious. Far from it. I just have a personal preference where I need to have a plot to follow in order to be engaged in a video of any kind. We also watched a short scene from Miranda July's 'Me and You and Everyone We Know' which I really enjoyed. It was an interpretation of the relationship between two people, with the movement of her feet (which is essentially dancing), which is depicting love, of the movements they make of uncertainty and mis-stepping.
So instead, let's talk about films: video art can be seen as refreshing, as the viewer is not dictated by a story. However, I personally love following a story. Film is a form of escapism for a viewer, it allows for the ability to enter the world of others and to no longer be aware of your surrounding in the real world. For me, a narrative in general, whether it is in a book or in television, it is a relief, a break, to see life through another's eyes. I don't see that as a manipulations (because once the narration has ended, I return to my life and back to me), I see it as a gift to look and feel through another. Being involved in a film, is an exercise in empathy, whereas video art can be quite isolating at times.
We discussed that many films have predictable formulas and endings, which is what makes video art engaging to some, but for me and for many others, sometimes the predictable is comforting. Maybe this is because in the real world, our own lives are not predictable and anything could happen. I'm usually incredibly fussy with films, but when I like something, I can watch it again and again. I guess this makes me boring, but some movies, I find the whole experience reassuring, able to enjoy some films as if I've never seen them before. For example, my all time favourite movie is the 1990 film 'Ghost' with Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg. The acting is definitely not the greatest, the story is certainly a cliche and some of the lines are just plain corny to the point of sickening. But I still laugh and cry every single time and the love between the characters of Sam and Molly still makes me smile. And that's what makes a good movie- not the talent, but how it affects a viewer. So even though so many people would cringe when watching this movie and I even make fun of it, if anyone told me it was terrible and criticised, god help them because I'll defend this movie to the end.Even though I did criticise Matthew Barney's film, I am not saying that video art is tedious. Far from it. I just have a personal preference where I need to have a plot to follow in order to be engaged in a video of any kind. We also watched a short scene from Miranda July's 'Me and You and Everyone We Know' which I really enjoyed. It was an interpretation of the relationship between two people, with the movement of her feet (which is essentially dancing), which is depicting love, of the movements they make of uncertainty and mis-stepping.
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| Miranda July's 'You and Me and Everyone we know' |
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