For the first time in Kansas City: Riveting Bill Viola video opens at Nelson-Atkins Museum
The First Art Newspaper on the Net    Established in 1996 Saturday, November 16, 2024


For the first time in Kansas City: Riveting Bill Viola video opens at Nelson-Atkins Museum
Bill Viola, The Raft, 2004. Color High-Definition video projection on wall (396.2 x 223 cm) in darkened space; 5.1ch surround sound. Performers: Sheryl Arenson, Robin Bonaccorsi, Rocky Capella, Cathy Chang, Liisa Cohen, Tad Coughenour, James Ford, Michael Irby, Simon Karimian, John Kim, Tanya Little, Mike Martinez, Petro Martirosian, Jeff Mosley, Gladys Peters, Maria Victoria, Kaye Wade, Kim Weild, Ellis Williams, 10:33 minutes. Photo: Kira Perov.



KANSAS CITY.- A psychologically powerful video depicting strangers facing an unexpected disaster opened at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art on Jan. 21. Bill Viola’s The Raft (2004) is approximately 10 minutes long and explores themes of tragedy, survival and transformation.

In the video, a group of men and women from various ethnic and economic backgrounds gather as if waiting for a train or bus to arrive. As is characteristic of urban settings, each individual maintains a psychological distance. Suddenly the group is struck by a massive onslaught of water. People huddle and struggle and succumb to the explosive force of the water. Will they survive? Will they be transformed?

Then, as suddenly as it arrived, the deluge subsides and people begin to regain their composure. As they do, they reach out to others, comforting them. Seen in extreme slow motion, movements and facial expressions are intensified.

“Like all of Viola’s internationally renowned work, The Raft resonates with universal ideas about the human spirit, life and death,” said Leesa Fanning, associate curator, Modern & Contemporary Art. “Viola would like his art to be transformative. His use of slow motion allows viewers to focus on the emotions and expressions of each individual. The Raft captures the complexity of human feeling.”

Emotions expressed range from boredom, disinterest, curiosity to disapproval and then surprise, fear, recovery, compassion and even love. The Raft serves as a metaphor for our times. Viola said that his work is “for cultivating knowledge of how to be in the world…for developing a deeper understanding.”










Today's News

January 23, 2012

Istanbul's Pera Museum exhibition sheds light into the beginning of Turkish-Dutch relations

LACMA presents first retrospective of more than 100 works on paper by Ellsworth Kelly

Moretti Fine Art to celebrate ten years at TEFAF Maastricht presenting exceptional works of art

Americana Week totals $17.9 million at Sotheby's New York; highest total since 2007

Landmark resource for 20th-century Latin American and Latino art launches at the MFA in Houston

For the first time in Kansas City: Riveting Bill Viola video opens at Nelson-Atkins Museum

Exceptional ensemble of nearly 200 works from the Library of R. & B. L. for sale at Sotheby's

Museum für Gegenwartskunst shows a new selection of works by Tim Rollins + K.O.S.

Blind Cut: A group exhibition curated by Jonah Freeman and Vera Neykov at Marlborough Gallery

DeCordova Sculpture Park and Museum announces The 2012 deCordova Biennial

Ferraris lead the way to RM's $25.5 million annual Arizona Biltmore sale in Phoenix

Exhibition of new work by Dublin-born artist Richard Gorman at Kerlin Gallery in Ireland

Dana Hart-Stone draws on his Montana roots for new exhibition at Brian Gross Fine Art

New York designers Dexter Sinister open new Charlottenborgs research programme

John Smith: Worst Case Scenario - Films from 1975-2003 at Weserburg

First solo show in the UK by Swiss artist Raphael Hefti at Camden Arts Centre

Innovative Exhibition O' Great Reverie: Montalvo 1912-2012 inaugurates Montalvo's centennial year

Parisian Laundry in Montreal opens three new exhibitions

Italy returns 2,000 year-old statue to Libya




Museums, Exhibits, Artists, Milestones, Digital Art, Architecture, Photography,
Photographers, Special Photos, Special Reports, Featured Stories, Auctions, Art Fairs,
Anecdotes, Art Quiz, Education, Mythology, 3D Images, Last Week, .

 



Founder:
Ignacio Villarreal
(1941 - 2019)
Editor & Publisher: Jose Villarreal
Art Director: Juan José Sepúlveda Ramírez
Writer: Ofelia Zurbia Betancourt

Royalville Communications, Inc
produces:

ignaciovillarreal.org juncodelavega.com facundocabral-elfinal.org
Founder's Site. Hommage
to a Mexican poet.
Hommage
       

The First Art Newspaper on the Net. The Best Versions Of Ave Maria Song Junco de la Vega Site Ignacio Villarreal Site
Tell a Friend
Dear User, please complete the form below in order to recommend the Artdaily newsletter to someone you know.
Please complete all fields marked *.
Sending Mail
Sending Successful