My body of work explores the medium of video in relation to mundane life, and my experience as an overseas student. I aim to experiment and investigate the medium of video art and editing as an art form. 

 

My intention is that my work has a meditative effect on the viewer where subjects and objects slowly come into focus and then leave. I am interested in starting a reflection with the viewer on life and time. 

 

Sans Soleil by Chris Marker [1] is a film that has a major impact on my production. I have incorporated the collectomania tendency of Marker into my practice and process. 

 

“It migrates quickly between places, time and a continual collectomania of images by Marker and other cameramen.”  [2] 

 

In 23..23 I wanted to create a conversation between seeing and being seeing. I draw inspiration from Guy Sherwin's Short Films Part 2 (eye and cat)  [3], Venus: Let's Talk About Sex by Lea Glob and Mette Carla Albrechtsen [4], Hiroshi Sugimoto: In Praise of Shadow [5]. They have influenced me to use a black-and-white aesthetic, video portrayed and descriptive use of the video camera.  

 

The concept of video portraits and Calendars by Berty Skuber [6], was another artwork that inspired me, I saw one of her exhibitions back in 2019 in Bolzano, Italy. This led me to make Self-portraits over 150 days. I recorded 150 days on the visual calendar OWAVES [7], then combined them together in a video.  

 

With the STUDY OF SOUND AND WATER, I wanted to experiment with sound and composition, I was particularly focused on editing. I was intrigued by implementing split screen, and therefore with the creation of new fresh images. 

 

As I continued to experiment with video editing, I produced a brief clip titled Fragments. In this video, I mixed photography with video. On I still image, I added four videos and interwoven the composition with one of the small videos on full screen to produce rhythm.

 

These experiments led me to make 2.23.24. My intention with this video was to meditate on real life and digital life. I worked with a vertical layout to resemble a smartphone format. Aggressive editing balances out the boringness and mundaneness of a morning walk. I wanted to enhance the pictorial characteristics of the video. My focus was on colour grading and composition. At minute 4.42,  it’s possible to have an example of how the colours and composition flatten the image. Furthermore, I experimented with the presentation of the work. My work was presented in the foyer, standing on the floor, backed by a column. 

 

24.04 to 05.06. this work is intended to be seen on two screens as I wanted to counterbalance the mundanity by splitting the viewer's attention between two screens. Given the format, I was interested in showing with texture, deepness and detail. The aim goes above meditativeness, I intended to create an appreciation for details. for this piece, I was inspired by Tacita Dean’s The Green Ray [8] and Majesty [9]. 

 

Through my work, I aspire to invite contemplation and foster an appreciation for everyday life.

 

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Reference: 

 

1. Marker, Chris. 1983. Sans Soleil. France: Argos Films.

2. Mavor, Carol. 2007. “HAPPINESS WITH A LONG PIECE OF BLACK LEADER: CHRIS MARKER’S SANS SOLEIL.” Art History: 30 (: 5): Page: 738-756.

3. Sherwin, Guy. 1978. Short Films Part 2 (Eye, Cat). https://www.kanopy.com/en/reading/video/159399.

4. Lea Glob, Mette Carla Albrechtsen. 2017. Venus. Danimark: Journeyman Pictures. https://www.kanopy.com/en/reading/video/12658538.

5. Hiroshi Sugimoto. 1998. In Praise of Shadow

6. Skuber, Berty. 1973-1981. Calendars. https://www.bertyskuber.com/#.

7. *Oware, Icn. “Oware” Onwave.com, Ver 4.8.4 (2022). https://apps.apple.com/it/app/owaves-agenda-del-benessere/id869648628

8. Dean, Tacita. 2001. The Green Ray.

9. ———. 2006. Majesty.