Critical Writing Index

Videoperformance

by Willoughby Sharp

Video Art: An Anthology, 1976, pp. 252-267

New York; London: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1976

An article surveying the accomplishments of early performance video. The author opens with remarks on video art's ascendancy amidst a growing interest in "process" and its documentation in the arts. A decade having passed since its first appearance, video art is still in its "infancy," owing to the relatively "rough" aesthetic nature of the works produced, and to the rarity of public exhibition for some unique video performance works. Biographical and critical notes are provided on Bruce Nauman, Keith Sonnier, Vito Acconci, William Wegman, Joan Jonas, and Chris Burden. The author makes a distinction between stand-alone performance documented on video and true "video performance," in which video plays an essential part in how the work is to be viewed and interpreted.

Videos, Artworks and Artists Cited

Violin Tuned D.E.A.D. – Bruce Nauman

Revolving Upside Down, Pacing Upside Down, Walking in Contraposto – Bruce Nauman

Bouncing in a Corner – Bruce Nauman

Lip Sync – Bruce Nauman

Performance Corridor – Bruce Nauman

Painted Foot: Black Light – Keith Sonnier

Light Bulb and Fire – Keith Sonnier

Rubdown – Keith Sonnier

Animation I – Keith Sonnier

Animation II – Keith Sonnier

Corrections – Vito Acconci

Centers – Vito Acconci

Passes – Vito Acconci

Pull – Vito Acconci

Prying – Vito Acconci

Claim – Vito Acconci

Remote Control – Vito Acconci

Air time – Vito Acconci

Walk-Over – Vito Acconci

Home Movies – Vito Acconci

Reception Room – Vito Acconci

Command Performance – Vito Acconci

Spelling Lesson – William Wegman

Bobbing for Twins – William Wegman

j. J-Jacobean the Adventures of Jack – William Wegman

Duet – Joan Jonas

Left Side, Right Side – Joan Jonas

Vertical Roll – Joan Jonas

Match Piece – Chris Burden

Back to You – Chris Burden