Competition program
The competition program of 2007 was formed to match the NUDITY theme. Nudity here is a metaphor for a wider range of phenomena than that immediately conditioned by the body. The works of competition program participants present a variety of media games playing with this metaphor. It is revealed, concealed, torn off, fragmented, textualized, psychologized, banalized, erotized, screened, prostituted, instrumentalized and so on. The most popular methods however fall under the three main concepts which evidently form the trends of contemporary video art – modern-shamanism, psycho-domesticity and techno-alarm. These trends will be demonstrated at special screenings as part of the Open Video program.
The Common Trembling
(Julia Abramova, Alexander Liubin), Russia
Untitled, 2006, 6’28’’
The German hangars for hydroplanes at the Baltic spit were for a long time used by the Soviet army. In 1990’s when the army units were disbanded, the hangars changed their state into one of grand ruins. Naked walls, bright colors, sad Russian music…
The Common Trembling group was formed in the end of 2005. The name is derived from a Pavlovian term. The group prefers action activity, photography and video art.
Galina Shevchenko, USA
In collaboration with Spencer Baker
Dancing with Mondrian, 2006, 4’44
Geometry and flesh, muscul curves and perfect rectangles clash and dissolve in this infinite tease. Echoes of modernity and traces of classical past coexist and feed each other with moves and volumes, lines and shadows, emotions and jestures.
Galina Shevchenko, 1972. Born in Moscow, lives and works in Chicago, USA since 1993. Artist, videomaker, VJ.
Horteense Gauthier & Philippe Boisnard, France
HP Process [bod-cod project], 2006
In a synergetic and real time logic, [bod-cod project] is an experiment based on the interaction between a body and the live production of sound and video, according to a form of accidentialy related to the difference between presence and representation. This video performance aims to be a questioning of the relationship between real body/virtual body through an interrogation of the social, political and biological determinations of the female body, and the influence that consumption’s semiotic games play upon it.
HP Process. Horteense Gauthier & Philippe Boisnard is a performing duo from France who develops a transmedia and digital work between video, sound and performance.
Elena Kovylina, Russia
A Live Concert, 2005, 7’00’’
At the artist’s exhibition two totally unrelated events take place at once – a piano concert and strip-tease on the grand piano. The video shows the end part of the act- the naked stripper is resting to the sound of music. What is it: a vulgar genre breaks in a classic culture ritual or the pianist gets in the way of the audience enjoyment?
Elena Kovylina, 1971. Studied at the School for Art and Media Design, Zurich, at the Contemporary Art Institute, Moscow and also under Rebecca Horn, Berlin. Radical performances in which she experiments with her body and social occasions.
Amagiul Menlibaeva, Kazakhstan
The Steppen Baroque 2. Dedicated to my seven forefathers, 2003, 6’20’’
Following the Alma-Aty art scene founder Rustam Halfin the artist began to use the mythopoetic narration actively in her video works. “I represent the punkoromantic shamanism” — says Menlibaeva. — “The ancient traditions and mystic laws of Kazakh art are combined with free punk quest. The punks of course know about trans avant-garde but don’t want to join any trend, they use their own experience and do only what they want”.
Amagiul Menlibaeva, b. 1969 in Almaty.
Studied at the Almaty State Jhurgenev Theater and Art Institute. Exhibits since 1995. Lives and works in Almaty and Bishkek.
Yu Araki, Japan
Bathtub, 2006, 3’55’’
One man, one bathtube and a rubber duck: a small drama found in everyday life.
Yu Araki graduated from Washington University in St. Louis as a sculpture in 2007. Risque Prize recipient.
Marie Julia Bollansee, Belgia
Fire Line, 2006, 6’52’’
Marie Julia Bollansee’s work is about men, about their life and death, and about the quest in the no man’s land in between. “I try to detect the chemistry between people and to formulate this in my work (so that the spectators may become more aware of their humanity). I want to push out the frontiers of that which is perceptible. I am convinced that contemporary society is in urgent need of visibility of its invisible vital motives and sources.”
Marie Julia Bollansée, 1960. In her videowork Marie Julia Bollansee takes the position of an observer, and the one of an actual translator of age old human themes. In her performances, she uses her body to create images with sjamanistic force. Her photo/object- installations, in collaboration with photographer Ronald Stoops, create a field of tension between primary materiality, poetry and aesthetic photographic images.
Maria Sharafutdinova (Masha Sha)
The Bed, Russia, 2005, 1’00’’
A naked body of a girl is squeezed into a child’s bed. The bars on this bed symbolize an excessive security bordering on violence. “Birth, life, death – the eternal mystery”- is the artist’s comment.
Maria Sharafutdinova (Masha_Sha), 1982. Expresses different aspects of female body conflicts with social and physical circumstances in video. Lives and works in Saint-Petersburg.
Natalia Lamanova, Russia
Ready for labor and defense! (Virtual postage stamps), 2005, 4’00’’
This video is part of the VIRTUAL POSTAGE STAMPS project dedicated to the 150 year anniversary of the first Russian postage stamp in 2005. Other parts include Fauna, Space and To the 100 year anniversary of German Vinogradov. German at the V pioneer convention. Artek, 2005. Created with animated photography and flash technologies.
Natalia Lamanova, b. 1964. Studied at Moscow Stroganov School of Arts and Crafts. Since 1998 active in web art, digital art and stamp art. Projects include Sewers of the world unite! (since 2000) and Moscow Artistamp collection. Awards: Digital Exlibris (Niklaas, Belgium) and others.
Evgeniy Privalov, Moldova
Beloved, 2006, 2’20’’
The video consists only of the foreground – the main character, a man, is eating cake. The author uses video art genre to tell a story of a man and a woman, which requires no words as words are not needed by this grand passion. That’s how Love is!
Evgeni Privalov, 42. Born in Kishinew. Studied at the Moscow State Cinema Institute. Founder of the Privalov Cinema Studio. Works in films, videos, TV-shows, experimental films. Participated in various international film and TV festivals. Produced four plays as a theater director.
Andrey Ustinov, Russia
Say A (Sagen Sie A), 2006, 3’27’’
A parody of a news report. After a short title sequence a TV moderator appears on screen. In the top right corner the words “Say A” appear and the TV moderator says “A”. The camera moves away and near the TV moderator a display with the same fragment is shown. The audience is drawn into an endless media tunnel. The last stage of their movement is the picture on the camera’s display, filming the filming set. A lonely TV moderator sits in the studio trouserless.
Andrei Ustinov. Studied at the Muhina Academy of Arts and Crafts, J. Sobolev’s classes and the PRO ARTE Institute, currently a student of Kassel Kunsthochshule. Takes part in exhibitions and festivals since 1998.
Geoffrey Alan Rhodes, USA
Mirror/Butterfly, 2006-2007, 5’00’’
Through an impossible shot into the mirror the artist attempts transcendence, and discover his un-mediated body.
Geoffrey Alan Rhodes, Filmmaker, Writer, Musician, etc. He received his MFA in Media Studies from SUNY Buffalo in 2005. Drawing from a background as a composer and performer in Seattle’s music scene, Rhodes’ work combines formal visual and sound structures with a visceral improvisational gestalt. His recent works explore concepts of time and the mediated gaze through a fractured screen and the fusion of mediums.
The Volga Drive (Aleksandr Gnutov, Sasha Kulik), Russia
Sanechek, 2006, 2’00’’
New Russian art manifesto: Russian Orthodoxy meets biotechnology and sport. The new Russian artist Sanechek lays down the law. He’s going to wipe off the established hierarchy of actual art. A mortal combat ensues with Ilya Kabakov, Jeff Koons and Andy Warhol. Sanechek goes into training in the way of an art samurai. A confrontation between Moscow conceptualism and Saratov bodybuilding.
The Volga Drive Group (Aleksandr Gnutov and Sasha Kulik). Founded in Saratov, 2003 after a series of Olga Shishko’s lectures and crystal punk studies at the PRO ARTE Institute. After an adaptation period in Moscow the Volga Drive join the Moscow art scene, attending exhibitions, concerts and parties, participates in festivals and exhibitions.
Lucas Vossoughi and Michael Kamler Film Production, Austria
Wrong Direction, 2005, 4’00’’
Imagine: You are naked … all by yourself… they are out there and they are coming for you … for once you made a wrong decision and now you must face up to the facts. But where to go? Where to hide? Where to run? It’s just you… the woods… and your deadful past…
Lucas Vossoughi, 1961. Producer of Visuals, Photography, Electronic Music, Club Host, Videoclerk, Frontman& Singer of the Band The Swingers.
Dmitry Bulnigin, Russia
Afterparty, 2007, 10’00’’
A relationship drama unfolds on screen — an open man-to-man talk. The reason behind this fight is a woman. The camera lays bare an anatomy of feelings and emotions of two close friends, who actually are not so close, as it turns out. Does art lie in these scenes and dialogue? Maybe the texture of material is what’s more artistic here, emotions caused by the authenticity of the shot and totality of its representation?
Dmitry Bulnigin (db). B. Novosibirsk. Graduated from Novosibirsk Architecture Institute, 1990. Video artist and VJ.
Tatiana Antoshina, Marian Junin, Artur Muradian, Russia
Day of Poetry, 2005, 11’04’’
Today poetry is not the most popular genre. The occurrence of new, more convenient, forms of information transfer and latent taboo on demonstration of true emotions do not promote its{her} competitiveness. Three naked poets read verses outvoicing each other. Their voices are drowning in noise. The spectator is frustrated — he does not receive for what he’s come. The poetry escapes as sand through fingers.
Tatiana Antoshina, Marian Junin and Artur Muradian form a consortium of well—known artists and videomakers, co-operating on various projects. Moscow is their main activity location.
Blue Noses Group (V. Myzin, A. Shaburov)
feat. Dasha Khlapova, Russia
Sex Art, 2006, 3’28’’
The grand cinema mercilessly exploits the attraction of the naked female body. The artists Myzin and Shaburov carry this to the point of absurdity with a particular cynicism.
Blue Noses Group (V. Myzin, A. Shaburov) are a narodnik project of Siberian artists V. Myzin and A. Shaburov. Their goal is to create populist contemporary art works that will be interesting not only to the “international context”, but to masses in general — from young pioneers to old—age pensioners. Based not on high technologies, but on most primitive moves, almost DIY—made.
Susan Jahoda, USA
Not a Figment of Imagination, 2007, 3’28’’
This work addresses the physical and psycholo gical trauma experienced by people who witness the violence of war. Evidence of post-traumatic stress permeates life in every country, and the despicable neglect and unrecognized suffering of returning American soldiers is but one example of the damage that contemporary society must absorb.
Susan Jahoda’s videos, photographs and texts explore how subjects make claims for psychic and social belonging. They offer an affective view of a global socio-political landscape, referenced through metaphor and fiction, perception, psychoanalysis, and corporeality. She resides and works in New York City.
