Video Reviews.

Shirin Neshat: The Woman Moves

A very moving video, "The Woman Moves" depicts the life on an Iranian woman that feels out of place in her own skin. Her art seems powerful enough to really challenge any thought of comfort in her own life and in the life of many Iranian women. She speaks for not only a nation of people, but a gender in that nation as well. Though her pieces are powerfully depicting of strong divisions, they bring together Iranian women as well at the same time.

Marlon Riggs: Tongues United

One never thinks about life outside of their own situations. This is why is was almost an awkward and uncomfortable experience watching this piece about a gay black man and his vision of the world through his experiences. Though some of his works were more lighthearted (the piece about snapping had me laughing pretty hard), the overtones of racial and sexist differences overpowered the themes of the video to become a work that makes it hard to watch his story with anything but guilt for being anything other than a gay black man.

Gary Hill: I Believe it is an Image

Hill was the only artist I watched and truly believed that a real progress was being made. He was very experimental, which I believe is fundamental when dealing with art, and discovering it. I enjoyed watching his trips through sound, light, and motion. It made me question a lot kore about what the art was, rather than having the meaning laid out for ke, which is not enjoyable in art in my opinion.

Analysis:

All three artists had very different directions that they wanted to take with their art. While one wanted to indulge in the arts themselves, the other two had more of an actual stance, and forced it upon their set in a way. Though this worked to show the pain and struggle behind the lives of a gay black man and an Iranian woman, it didn't do much to make me feel too happy about the messages they presented, like there was no hope for their situations. Instead, I found myself attracted to experimentation and carefree art that Hill presented. I guess I'm just a "glass half full" kind if guy at the end of the day.

Semiotics of the Kitchen

Watch the original video by Martha Rosler here: http://www.ubu.com/film/rosler_semiotics.html

This video, as represented by Martha Rolser, gives a contrast to women you would see on the Food Network.  As opposed to refined, elegant, and easy going with kitchen utensils, this piece uses an unorganized, over the top, and at times silly use of kitchen tools to give a not-so-typical rendition of a woman's place on TV or in the kitchen.  Basically, not every woman should act like what they see on television.  Not every woman belongs in the kitchen 24/7.

Chapter 4 Questions

1. As video emerged, women actively began to take their places in the art world with its use. What kind of "fingerprint" did this leave? In other words, how did womens' use of video as art make an impression on art culture, and does it still last today?

2. Video has an interesting place within not only the art world, but the mass culture as well. How do you think the artists' use of cameras has been used and even manipulated to fit in with a mass audience, if at all?

Impaired Judgement

Original Site: http://www.samueladams.com/index.aspx

Alcohol is indeed a legal drug that is effecting people more in a negative sense than in a positive one.  With every sip taken to have a good time, damage is caused to the body and mind.  However, we as a society glamorize it and make it seem like constantly going out partying and drinking and destroying yourself is the cool thing to do.  This page battles that notion in a satirical way, and begs the question... is it worth it?