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September 28, 2005
Bill Viola: An Art-Scientist
Upon reading the statements made by Bill Viola, I must admit that his definition of interaction is absolutely amazing. His identification of several important materials and their correlation with each other certainly demonstrates a second-look at his definition of interaction. From his realization about time to his demonstration about video and sound, he elucidates all aspects of interaction. Although he called himself as an artist, I would prefer to call him an “art-scientist.” I don’t know if my engineering background has been affected by his theories or not, but all of his statements sounded like a thesis for a great discovery of invention. He seemed to remind me the most basic thing that everyone knows, but that keeps being forgotten. For example, everyone knows the importance of time, but did we really approach it as the basic material for a conceptual space. When I first thought of the theme of time, Einstein’s Relativity theory came into my mind. This scientist related the time and the space, and the great interaction it can create. Similarly, Viola exactly points out the time as the primary basis. However, even beyond this, he further identifies it as the “point of unification between art, science, and all the creative activities.” Moreover, he emphasizes the notion of space as “the sense of place is manifest as an apparent concern with landscape.” When I first read these statements, it just made me keep saying: “That’s absolutely right.”
Then, his point of view on the experience and on the viewer with his realization about different senses sounded very psychological. It was like I am listening by seeing something or vice versa. Between all of his wonderful statements, I like his saying that “duration is to consciousness as light is to the eye.” I think that this statement will be forever remembered.
Finally, “The Passions” by Bill Viola was absolutely fantastic. How he uses different emotions, and how he approached it was very unique. Especially, the “Catherine’s room” piece is nonetheless the best piece that knows how give an expression, an emotion, to a static room. Moreover, everything was in function to time!
Posted by Tae Ho Yoon at September 28, 2005 03:46 AM