Object Details
Artist
Steina Vasulka, born Reykjavik, Iceland 1940
Exhibition Label
Steina Vasulka, who was trained as a classical violinist, describes this work as “a demo tape on how to play video on the violin.” Violin Power weaves the audio signal into the video image, linking sight with sound and outlining a new electronic aural-imaging “syntax.” The video ties the two senses together in a single signal and demonstrates natural assumptions about what is seen and what is simultaneously heard. As the tape progresses through three performances, audio wave forms produced by the musical instrument begin to affect the video image and eventually become the video generator itself.
Watch This!: Revelations in Media Art, 2015
Credit Line
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase made possible by the Ford Motor Company
Copyright
© 1978 Steina Vasulka. Courtesy Electronic Arts Intermix, NY
Date
1970-1978
Object number
2008.21.12
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
Media Arts
Medium
single-channel video, black and white, sound; 10:04 minutes
See more items in
Smithsonian American Art Museum Collection
Department
Time-Based Media Art
Data Source
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Topic
Performing arts\music\violin
Figure female\waist length
Object\musical instrument\violin
Link to Original Record
Record ID
saam_2008.21.12