A friend recently expressed to me that he has no concept of art – he can tell you if something is pretty or interesting but he does not understand why the smallest or most ridiculous things can have people so desperate to spend millions of dollars or create some kind of cult-like following. I explained to him that art cannot be defined so easily and that those who do become so riled up over these questionable pieces are probably following the herd and only a select few actually do appreciate something about the piece. Art is like science, it can be found in everything and anything and even if to one person something is not “art”, it may be the most enthralling form of creative expression to another.
I have recently come across the development of video art, this is not necessarily new, but the significance is based on the fact that they are short films trying to make some kind of point through metaphor, visual technology, and even poetry. The new age is calling for more focus on life, time, and what is eternal – and less on a flashy light show that keeps us occupied while someone picks our pockets. The following five short films are my picks for most influential pieces of video art.
Where There Is Love There Is No Law
“I now quite clearly see this world as an audience of the cinema sees a film on the screen – and what I am actually watching is a film which is called Creation.”
This short film by Simon Wilkinson is set in a park as Wilkinson gives a monolgue about life and love. He also speaks about thoughts of death and how we should all be more concerned with living in the moment, death is only ever a thought until it is real. Wilkinson has been an artist and filmmaker since 1993.
The Sound of the Wind in the Trees – PILOT [Where There is Love There is No Law] from Simon Wilkinson on Vimeo.
The Necessities Of Life
“I ask the viewer to ponder such issues as the presence of absurdity in belief and ritual. It is my intention to elicit contemplation about many important, yet enigmatic issues associated with every-day life…”
Director Gerald Guthrie, wanted to show the ‘human conflict between basic physical requirements and the need for culture.’ The film is innovative and brings the internal struggle to the forefront of the mind in hopes that maybe we will take responsibility for these issues.
The Necessities of Life from Gerald Guthrie on Vimeo.
Seeing Shapes
“if you’re going to bring images into the world, you have to think it through”
In this film, the artist, Matthew Farman, breaks down the human need to ‘reduce reality to narrative’ and also shows rational visuals against would-be emotional or in-depth language.
Seeing Shapes (2011) Matthew Farman from Matthew Farman on Vimeo.
London Emotions
“if anything was eternal, at all, it would get really boring and wouldn’t be particularly special”
On the streets of London artist, Eduardo Bragança, asks the passersby: what is eternal? and what would they want to be eternal? At first, many are stumped for the answer but then love becomes a popular choice, and the wish that youth could be eternal. It makes one question what is really important in life and why nothing can really be eternal.
London Emotions I from Eduardo Bragança on Vimeo.
Deluded Minds
“Twisted preachers and teachers and motivational speakers, sociopaths and leeches spitting venomous speeches. We don’t need them to reach us when it’s hatred they teach us. It’s essential that we trust those who seek to enrich us.”
Carys Jones is a poet and her work may not necessarily be considered video art, but I beg to differ. The way she has decided to execute her poetry is truly magnificent, and discusses issues with spiritual hypocrisy, racial issues, and questions why the human race feels so obliged to judge others as if they were God-like.
