Critical Writing Index

An Art of Temporality

by Christopher Eamon

Film and Video Art, 2009, pp. 66-85

Christopher Eamon, a New York-based independent curator and writer, explores the ways in which different art forms (painting, performance, music), along with the previous artistic movements of the early 20th century (Fluxus, Surrealism, Minimalist Art, Structuralism), influenced the development of video art. He argues that the unique temporal character of these works has made a crucial aesthetic contribution to the development of video art; hence, designated the art of video as art of temporality.

ITEM 2009.114 – available for viewing in the Research Centre

Videos, Artworks and Artists Cited

Autumn RhythmHans Namuth

The Legacy of Jackson PollockAllan Kaprow

"Hand Movie" (1966), "Line" (1969),Simone Forti

Kiss the Girls: Make Them Cry (1999), Technology/Transformation: Wonder Woman (1978)Yvonne Rainer

Black Room Cycle, Television De-CollageDara Birnbaum

Opera Sextronique, Exposition of Music - Electronic TelevisionWolf Vostell

Judson Dance TheatreNam June Paik

At LandAnna Halprin

Vertical RollMeredith Monk

WavelengthMaya Deren

Touch Cinema, Hearing Sound/Seeing Sound, Adjunct DislocationsJonas Mekas

Flaming Creatures, Normal LoveMichael Snow

Uncovering a Sculpture, Span, Walk with Contrapposto (1968)VALIE EXPORT

Centers (1971), Face Off (1972), Double Vision(1971),, Interface (1972), Vertical Roll (1972)Jack Smith

He Weeps for You (1974)Merce Cunningham

Sunrise to Sunset, Roll, Helix Spiral, Opposing Mirrors and Video Monitors with Time DelayBruce Nauman

Technology/Transformation: Wonder Woman, Kiss the GirlsWilliam Allan

Hole in the Wall, Electronic Music: Improvisations, SoundingsVito Acconci

"4'33"', "Theatre Piece No. 1"Bill Viola

Prune Flat, Shower, Bathroom SinkDan Graham

Sleep, Hair Cut, Blow Job, Empire, Outer and Inner Space, Portrait of Ethel's Skull Thirty-Six TimesDara Birnbaum

Hurlements en Faveur de Sade (Howls in Favor of Sade)Gary Hill

Hand Catching LeadJohn Cage

Composition for 2 Musicians, Siberian Symphony, Ist movementRobert Whitman

Dick Higgins

Mary Caroline Richards

Robert Rauschenberg

David Tudor

Andy Warhol

George Brecht

George Maciunas

Karlheinz Stockhausen

Guy Debord

Jackson Pollock

Joan Jonas

Richard Serra

Joseph Beuys