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September 19, 2005
Bill Viola, an Artist
"I am disturbed by the over-emphasis on technology." This is a quote from Bill Viola’s "Statement 1985," and this is exactly what worries me sometimes. At ITP, everyone is so eager to learn and adopt new technologies, thus, I get fascinated too much by the technology itself. Not that I do not admire the achievements of the works that have been done in the program, but I just do not want to make mistakes by putting the cart before the horse. Technology comes after the idea, not vice versa. We look for technology that can realize our imagination and dreams not pursue dreams that fit into the available technology. Viola seemed to have the same belief in technology.
"...there is always just one "right place" where an idea can come to life..." Another notion from his notes showed how much efforts he might have put in his works to find this "one right place." It made me to think of how much efforts I have been putting in my works, and somehow I feel shameful. However, although I admire his efforts to find the right place, I am not sure if I can totally agree with his idea. In my opinion, some random pick of the places can result unexpected achievements. Perhaps, the random pick happened to be the right place for being so lucky.
The reading was very meaningful for me in terms of reminding me of the very reasons why I came to ITP. I came here to develop my mindset not to learn technique. Throughout the reading, I realized that I may have been blinded with the whole new experiences with technology. Viola is an artist not a technician nor a video artist, and so am I hoping to be.
Posted by Jane Oh at September 19, 2005 01:29 PM