I/o: Current Video Installations at G2

by Nicolette Bond

Saturday's opening at G2 was packed with people there to see exhibitions from several SAIC courses. Among those featured are Text off the Page , Film Video and New Media's push, shift, drift, puncture, move, slice, shimmer trace ; and Humor as Art.   Also installed is I SAW YOU , a show exploring notions of communication and missed connections in our digital age.   The gallery's maze like architecture makes it difficult to know where one show ends and another begins.   This structure adds dimension, as many of the works allude to other classes' themes.   With such variation and scope, it seems almost impossible that a person could leave without finding a work that speaks to them.  

            Mary Patten's Video Installation class created several intriguing, large scale video works, many of which draw on their exhibition title;    i/o: push, shift, drift, puncture, cut, move, slice, shimmer, trace.   Carry Dyer's and Edyta Stephien's works occupy the same room.   When I first walked in, I didn't immediately realize that the videos were done by two singular artists.   The sound and light from both mingle and fill the entire space.   This initial reaction allowed me to draw connections between the pieces that I wouldn't have had they been separated.

            When I studied them individually I saw that Carry Dyer's literally enacts many of the verbs present in the exhibition's title. The video has two separate frames that are spilt by the corner of the wall that it is projected into. To the left of the corner is an image of someone (only the hand is shown) drawing and erasing different images on a piece of paper.   Both panels are projected at a height that forces us to look up to something that we are so used to peering down on.   The increased speed of the video makes the experience feel frantic. This sense is paired with the rather calming appearance of the right panel, which has a multitude of blurred colors.

            The spilt view of the panels, allows the work to change depending on what point the viewer stands. Despite their disparate nature, one resonates with the other.   Together they speak not only to the inspiration and state of the artist, but also to time and creation itself.

            The other piece that occupies the space to the left of the entrance is Edyta Stephien's video installation "Synthetic Landscape," with sound by Margaret Nobel. The work consists of one large panel across the back wall, with four smaller panels hanging in front it.   Stepien takes images from nature and refocuses them until they become disassociated from our traditional thoughts of landscape.   Although the title of the piece contains the word, synthetic, the modification of nature did not seem to strip it of its soul.

            In each scene there is an added element which further enhances the work's ephemeral tone. In one shot three moons are spread across the different panels.   The eye catches on the silver lights that seem to dance across the image.   At one point the scenes are completely filled with what appears to be wind blowing through a wheat field. It's a stunning moment when several ghostly figures rise and then fade into the grasses. Nobel's mastery is obvious, as the haunting sounds that play along with this video seem necessary to the experience.   More than any other piece, this video made me forget not only my place in the gallery, but my existence in general.  

            The last video piece in this collection was "Bubble Mumble"   by Eun Sun Lee. This one was shone, deservingly, in its own room.   Four large panels projected the mouths of people chewing gum and blowing bubbles. What initially seems like a simple concept, deepens as the viewer continues to watch. Spittle lands onto their lips, bright blue gum gets stuck to their noses, and the gum's bright color contrasts with their stained teeth. It is an intimate portrait of a common activity.

            This close examination of ordinary life is so relevant in a society where everything is sped up.   This slowing down of time recreates reality, so we identify dimensions not previously visible. The chomping and popping becomes almost painful to watch. It forces us to consider not only our own bodies, but all we are involved in.   In a stroke of genius, Eun Sun Lee, has provided bubble gum so the viewer can participate and consider the action as they watch.  

         This class will have two more cycles of videos. The second will start November 14, will include work from Daniel Baird, Min Kyung Lee, Samia Mirza, and Marco Torres.   The final cycle highlighting works from Catherine Acosta, Olga Benitez, Allie Compton, Nicolas O'Brien, and Timothy Shaw, will run November 28-December 3 rd . G2 is located at 847 W. Jackson.

November 2005

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