HOD – Artist Selection: Bill Viola

About Bill Viola

Image obtained from https://unpointculture.com/2014/03/12/sculptez-du-temps-bill-viola-sexpose-au-grand-palais/
Image obtained from https://hyperallergic.com/114411/bill-violas-moving-void/
Image obtained from https://www.apollo-magazine.com/bill-viola-grand-palais/

Bill Viola is one of the pioneers of video art or referred to as “the Rembrandt of the video age”. His works of art are in large-scale, often includes a spiritual element in them as well. Topics like “Zen Buddhism, Islamic Sufism, and Christian mysticism underpinning themes considered universal: birth, death, love, sex, grief, and redemption” revolves around his works. He makes use of this technological advancement in this day and age to do experimental video art (with a blend of sound in them, including avant-garde music performance) and create over 150 works over the last 40 years. He ensures that the installations of his video art are placed in an environment that is highly immersive for the viewers so as to fully engage with the works.

 

References:

https://www.theartstory.org/artist-viola-bill.htm