Bird is a close up of my hand holding a canary, while it moves, trying to free itself from the grip. It is a helpless situation. The bird is forever trapped in an endless loop in which it does futile attempts at escaping.
The video reflects on fragility, beauty and violence, questioning the limits of our ethical relationship to one another and to the world. What does it mean to confront what is vulnerable? Is there a certain pleasure in the domination of others? What does it mean to have infinite power?
This video presents violence as a physical sensation. The flapping of the wings is a mute voice, a material voice. It is also the thrill of having someone’s heart trembling in your hand, someone’s pain in your hand.
Technical Requirements for Installation:
The video Bird is to be installed running continuously on four CRT TV monitors. The monitors will be taken out of their covers, so that their circuitry is exposed, and will hang from the ceiling. This set up brings the reflection on violence beyond the image, and emphasizes the physicality of the work by involving the body of the spectator.
-Four CRT (cathode ray tube) 13’ TV monitors, with RCA video inputs.
-Air line cable to support the TV monitors from the ceiling. Their length and distribution would be determined according to the space.
-Four DVD players.
Rental and Sales
Single Screening Rental | $90.00 |
Educational Purchase DVD (Bluray +$15) | $260.00 |
5 Year Educational Streaming License, Digital File with DVD Circulation Copy | $550.00 |
Gallery Exhibition and Installation, complete Media Request form for quote | |
Institutional Archival Acquisition, complete Media Request form for quote |
Curators and programmers, please contact distribution@vtape.org to receive a login and password to preview Vtape titles online.
Screening and exhibition rentals and archival acquisitions include public performance rights; educational purchases or licenses include rights for classroom screenings and library circulation. When placing an order the customer agrees to our general online terms and conditions. Payment (or a purchase order number) and a signed licensing agreement must be received before media can be shipped to the client.