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Work Integrated Learning Form

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Journal Prompt 6

The Soundtrack to David Lynch's "Six Men Getting Sick" is far from naturalistic. It presents a surreal and unnerving soundscape that is far from conventional. The piece is heavily steeped in abstraction, visually, sonically and conceptually. The artwork is deeply emotional conveying a sense of discomfort, unease, and even anguish through its distorted and grotesque imagery and use of whining sires.

The video has a disorienting and frantic quality this is amplified by the repetitive and jarring nature of the imagery. The volume and music in the piece are integral to its emotional impact. The eerie, soundtrack enhances the sense of unease and tension, disorientating the viewer creating a haunting atmosphere. This non-diegetic sound design effectively complements the visual narrative by intensifying the emotional and psychological impact of the artwork.

When watching the same footage without sound the emotional impact of the piece is notably different. Without the overwalking soundtrack the imagery alone is still somewhat unsettling but the emotional intensity is greatly reduced. The absence of sound makes the piece feel more detached and less immersive, as the soundtrack plays a crucial role in creating the viewer's emotional response. In essence the combination of sound and image in "Six Men Getting Sick" is central to its ability to convey a disconcerting and uncomfortable  experience.

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Journal prompt 4

^note this is an edited version & not the exact same work i saw^

In the watching Amos Gebhardt's "Lovers" (2018), which I saw at the Melbourne Now exhibition in March, what was most immediately striking is the overwhelming scale and detail of the artwork. The dark contrasts used in the piece indeed drew out a deep sense of drama and emotion. This is further built upon by the use of slow motion with Gebhardt lingering on the movements of the horses that occupy the focus of the piece it feels as If not one step or a single flick of a tail is missed.

One of the most absorbing aspects of "Lovers" is the use of two-channel video presentation. This setup effectively created relationships between the horses depicted on either side, enhancing the emotional depth and drama conveyed by the piece. At any time one screen often displayed a large amounts of movement, while the other remained more subdued. This contrast expanded the complexity of the narrative, creating relationships between each screen and in turn each animal leaving me curious about the interplay between the horses.

the viewer is positioned between the two screens, right at the point where the two lovers converge. Serving to quite literally centre the viewer at the emotional core of the piece.  Surrounding and immersing the viewer in the narrative.

The pieces dark contrasts and dramatic lighting work in tandem with the sound to create a highly emotive experience centring on the what the artist calls “Non-human Narratives”. The sound design complemented the visual narrative with the footfalls and noises of the horses courting coming in deep and resonate creating a real feeling of closeness that emphasizes the emotional intimacy of the work.

The work  utilizes its scale, detail, and unique narrative approach to create a compelling and emotionally resonant story. While large scale video works aren’t uncommon to me this piece stands out for its commitment to complex and non-human narratives, pushing the boundaries of the medium and leaving a lasting impression on the viewer I feel it carries with it a certain “Australian”. feeling to it that cant quite be pinned down into any one thing that I find both comforting and inspiring.

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Journal Prompt 3

Response to: Mountain (Excerpt) by Pilar Mata Dupont

-Pilar Mata Dupont's "Mountain" explores the temporal and incorporeal aspects of storytelling. The use of soft light, fog, and dark colours sets a dreamlike atmosphere that draws viewers into a world of introspection. The transformation from a monologue into a conversation between what feels like two old friends adds a layer of emotional depth and authenticity to the narrative. It's as if we're eavesdropping on a private conversation overhead in a train carriage In the work Rome is mythologized through the narration and dialogue. This approach is mirrored in the cinematic language of the piece with the mythical Rome never actually being shown leaving the viewer to imagine the beauty of this fictive version of the city. 7:52 pmhe absence of Rome as a physical presence in the work allows the viewer to project their own sparkling city onto the mountain.

What is it like experiencing creative work online like this rather than travelling to see it in person?

-Experiencing creative video artwork online offers both advantages and disadvantages when compared to traveling to see it in person.  While online access to video art allows for greater convenience and accessibility. Presenting an infinitely diverse range of artworks from across the world and making it easier to discover new artists and pieces. However, there are certain drawbacks to this approach. Viewing video art online can limit the immersive and sensory experience that physical exhibitions provide. Rather than a dirty computer screen and tinny speakers an In-person exhibition allows for more direct engagement with the art, presenting the viewer with details, scale, and the physicality of the medium in an environment that has been specifically considered for this purpose,. While online access broadens the horizon for exploring video art Its undeniable that physical space to go and experience the art is just as essential to video works as it would be to painting or sculpture

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Journal Prompt 2

Jonas Lindstroem's "TRUTH OR DARE is characterized by a dynamic use of cuts which play a significant role in shaping the viewer's experience. With a total of 32 cuts, the piece features a relatively high frequency of cuts, creating a visually engaging and fast-paced narrative.

The duration between the cuts varies, with the longest shot lasting 26 seconds and an average shot duration of 12 seconds. These rapid cuts transition the viewer through time and space, transporting them from one self-contained vignette to another. In this way Lindstroem simulates the experience of scrolling through social media where each cut acts as the ending of one story and the beginning of another fostering a sense of curiosity and anticipation.

Despite the sometimes dissimilar content between shots, the soundtrack plays a crucial role in maintaining a consistent mood throughout the piece. This consistency is also reinforced by uniform colour grading between shots. While the framing and motion in each shot may not be mirrored, they are complementary creating a seamless and comfortable transition from one shot to another.

Sound and imagery work in harmony with the soundtrack reinforcing the mood established in each shot. It both connects and guides the viewer through the various vignettes providing a sense of cohesion in an otherwise visually diverse piece. The hard cuts combined with these consistent elements help establish a rhythm and flow that engages the audience and makes for an aesthetically pleasing and thought-provoking video art experience.

The work demonstrates the power of the cut, using them to create a visually stimulating narrative that effectively communicates through both image and sound, while maintaining a sense of continuity and coherence despite the rapid transitions.

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Journal Prompt 1

Kill Your TV: How Bay Area Video Art Exploded in the 1970s | KQED Arts

This 8 minute piece gives an overview of video’s early years in the Bay Area.

What were the concerns of artists during this time?

They were mainly seeking to take video out of the exclusive hands of companies and the wealthy and put it in the hands of regular people. They were worried that the power and prestige afforded to mainstream sources of video such as tv and film which showed perspectives shaped and controlled by those in power they sort to challenge these viewpoints and proposed alternative ways of seeing

Why was the medium of video suddenly more accessible?

The tools of video creation (cameras film and editing equipment) was made accessible to the general public for the first time with consumer grade home video cameras like the Sony DV-2400 portapak and then the invention of Betamax and VHS over the coming years would greatly increase this accessibility throughout the 70s, this coupled with the elevated social and cultural position of video due to historical events like the Kennedy assassination and the first televised war in Vietnam pushed video centrally into the lives of Americans especially.

What was the political context of these times in general?

The 70s were largely a time of discontent and distrust of mainstream financial and governmental intuitions this bought on by things such as the Watergate Scandal, Vietnam War, and US energy crisis. The Cold war also played a central role throughout the 70s creating and environment of paranoia and anxiety and adding to the distrust of government. Movements running counter to the status quo like the Civil Rights, Gay rights and environmentalism saw massive mobilisation in direct protest and governments often seeking directly to empower people.  

How has this context changed / how is it similar?

In the present day although the cold war has ended there is still mass distrust and even more political polarisation than in the 70s with technology and globalization bridging countries and video becoming a mundanity through social media and the internet. In the 50 years since environmental concerns have only become more paramount and although there have been definite developments for the rights of marginalised people the central issues raised in the 70s are still not entirely resolved.

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