Critical Writing Index

The Videotapes of Tony Oursler

by John Minkowsky

Catalogue notes originally published in French under the title "Les Bandes video de Tony Oursler." The author speaks to the controversy and appeal of Oursler's surreal videotapes, which evince pop culture satire, media critique, sexual deviancy, childish play, and humorous symbolism. In the course of describing several Oursler videos, the author charts the developments of the artist's stylized methods, pop-mythological subjects, dense allusions, and reworked Romanticism. The apocalyptic videotape Grand Mal is described as Oursler's "masterwork to date."

ITEM 1985.123 – available for viewing in the Research Centre

Videos, Artworks and Artists Cited

Joe, Joe's Woman and Joe's Transsexual Brother – Tony Oursler

The Life of Phillis – Tony Oursler

Diamond (Head) – Tony Oursler

Life – Tony Oursler

Good Things and Bad Things – Tony Oursler

Rosey Finger of Dawn – Tony Oursler

The Weak Bullet – Tony Oursler

The Loner – Tony Oursler

Grand Mal – Tony Oursler

Son of Oil – Tony Oursler

EVOL – Tony Oursler