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September 19, 2005
Reactions to Viola
This writing attempts to reveal detail about the essence of art and what truely makes this world around us real. When struggling with and attempting to solve a creative idea it is essential to find an answer to this problem. To find an iteration of your concept that 'works'. I enjoyed his description about grappling with this issue or "great ball of doubt". Something artistic and abstract is often answered differently by each individual; but what is it that solves this calculation of our imagination? The more I pay attention to detail, and escape the rational and physical world, the more I am able to access this ability to see "through objects". For this is essential for succeeding in any creative endeavor. Some techniques I've developed to help open my mind to this conceptual understanding are: 1) Writing down dreams, since they directly inject these emotions at an extremely real and sacred' level, and 2) Using my down-time, i.e. standing in the subway, sitting on a bench and walking around, to try and ponder these ideas.... this cloud of unknowing can only be resolved by rolling the idea around in your mind, and re-sculpting it through infinite imaginative calculations. Often conceptual clarity can come about through inspiration as well as divine analysis of the ordinary.
Overall, Bill Viola's writings told me that it's ok to embrace the unknown and learn to embrace and indulge in it. Analyze a medium, in this case video, and play it to its strengths. The use of time really is of essence in video and architectural creations alike. Put typical perceptions on their head and you may find something sacred.
Posted by Karl Channell at September 19, 2005 12:13 AM