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Bill Viola in Amsterdam
The Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam at this moment presenting is a fascinating exhibition of the American video-artist Bill Viola. For this occasion the Stedelijk has been transformed it into a media labyrinth, enabling extreme experiences of basic human emotion. While the images on the one hand have a quiet beauty their impact in the installations on the other hand confronts the viewer in an immediate and direct way. Viola is using the contradictions between flowing and interrupted time in these video-installations.
In the still young history of video art Bill Viola (New York, 1951) takes an unique place. As a member of the first generation able to make use of video equipment he developed a strong visual aesthetic which lifted video art out of the underground circuit. Viola's themes refer to the essence of existence: birth, mortality and death. The experience of the themes in his installations is of such intensity that the senses are fully overwhelming the brain In one of the works, 'The Crossing' (1996), on a huge screen we see a man in slow motion walking up from a far distance. He finally stops and stands still. A trickle of water begins pouring on his head from above, becoming into a raging stream that completely indunates his body. On the other side of the screen, we see at the same time the man approach and stand still. A small flame begins to lick at his feet and quickly it consumes his complete body. When it all stops, all what remains are a few drops of water and a small flickering flame. With 15 installations, 20 video tapes and a selection of his sketches and notes the exhibition is giving an overview of the work of Viola. Among the other works to be seen are his 1983 installation Room for St. John of the Cross, 'Passage' (1987), 'The Sleep of Reason' (1988), 'Angel's Gate' (1989), 'The Stopping Mind' (1991) and 'Heaven and Earth' (1992).
Technique is an important factor in his work although it is just used as medium through which the works are made possible. 'When I think of using technology, I somehow feel that new pieces must somehow include some new ‘innovative’ configuration of equipment or some novel physical principle. It does not seem enough anymore to use old technology, like synthesiser models... Why not? This is the creeping fashion - death.'
Marc Neelen and Ana Dzokic The exhibition 'Bill Viola' can be seen in the Stedelijk from 12.9 till 29.11, opened from 11 till 17 daily. Entrance fee for the Museum is dfl. 12,50. This sum includes the special guide to the exhibition. The exhibition is accompanied by a catalogue entitled Bill Viola, published by the Whitney Museum of American Art in co-operation with Flammarion (216 pages, English). Four installations at other sites are being added to the presentation in the Stedelijk Museum. Works by Viola will also be seen in the Rijksmuseum, newMetropolis, Felix Meritis and the World Trade Centre. At Schiphol airport (Schiphol Approach) a video compilation of the artist's work is to be shown.
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