ICON at REMOTE presents "100 GESTURES" by Sharon Denning, Russet
Lederman and Sandra McLean on May 19th from 7PM to 10 PM .
R::E::M::O::T::E
327 Bowery (2nd and 3rd)
NY, NY 10003
http://remotelounge.com
212-228-0228
ICON at REMOTE presents "100 GESTURES" by Sharon Denning, Russet
Lederman and Sandra McLean on May 19th from 7PM to 10PM . These three
artists have used REMOTE's unique configuration of overhead TV
monitors, flat plasma screens and video consoles to create an 11
channel video and computer installation.
In this piece, the artists focus on the literal meaning of gesture -
a physical movement that contains meaning. They looked for the moment
where a movement of the body transforms from an insignificant motion
to an act of communication.
The artists collectively created a "database" of 100 gestures
videotaping a series of scenes between pairs of actors over a period
of several days. While the actors were focusing on their lines and
the direction, the cameras were capturing their movements - conscious
and unconscious. From this, a "database" of 100 isolated gestures was
collected - ranging from flicking an ash off a cigarette to
laboriously peeling a label off a bottle.
Once in the database, each gesture existed independently from the
others. They were no longer tied to the the direction which
elucidated them or to the actors' intentions. As a result, the
gestures could be combined and recombined in numerable ways giving
them disparate meanings. With this in mind, the three artists took
the database of gestures and created three video artworks.
In "100 Gestures" the viewer will see the same gestures repeated
among all three artists' works, but with each artist using them in
such a way as to create three distinct pieces. Denning looks at the
emotional intent behind a gesture, McLean considers gestures as an
unconscious system and Lederman's piece links gestures to create
simultaneous narratives.
V1.0
McLean's video piece looks at gestures as a system of cause and
effect, stimuli and response. A gesture is performed with the
expectation of getting the desired reaction. A suitor brings flowers
to the one he longs for and gets a kiss in return. The next time he
wants a kiss, he brings flowers. Her video is comprised of six
different scenes that play across three plasma screens. As the video
begins, the video runs through the database and eventually hones in
on one gesture. From this, a scene unfolds. Made up entirely of tight
shots on the gestures, the viewer sees the initial gesture and the
response to it and yet another set of response and gesture as they
play out in time and space across the three screens. Eventually, out
of the repetition of cause and effect a narrative is suggested only
to dissolve once again back into the database from which it grew.
V2.0
Lederman's piece begins with many screens of flickering horizontal
lines showing possibilities for a multitude of vignettes. Out of the
lines, rapidly running text appears naming gestures in sequence.
Then, the viewer sees the named gestures again as a video sequence.
The structure of the piece - several vignettes showing simultaneously
and repeatedly - mirror the possible narratives that exist in the
confines of a bar environment.
V3.0
Denning's computer and video piece looks at gesture as an embodiment
of emotion and the interplay of this information as four characters
engage in a "conversation". Each character has a personality based on
their unique emotional range and their specific possible reactions to
others' emotions. Their range of emotions is based upon their most
common gestures, taken from the database and given emotional
significance. Their reactions are unique to their characters and have
been programmed to give them tendencies towards a certain range of
emotional responses. One character may have a tendency to react to
anger with anger, another with fear. Some are more responsive to
others emotions, others are more "self absorbed". Their reactions are
never random, but are instead symptomatic of their personalities.
Each section of the piece begins with a character expressing an
emotion and another character responding. Like a real life
"conversation" characters tend to answer each other, occasionally
interrupting or introducing a new thread. Like real life characters
can have "moods" and be more inclined to specific emotions. As the
other characters respond to this stimulus they reveal their specific
personalities and a narrative emerges based on the interplay of
personalities.
Icon, is a monthly New Media art event held at Remote, a Manhattan
based technology-themed lounge and media art space. For more
information about this event contact art@remotelounge.com. For
information about upcoming Icon events go to the Remote website at
http://www.remotelounge.com. For specific inquiries about Icon or
proposals for future events please contact art@remotelounge.com.
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