2008 Woodie Awards
High Art with LoVid
Sundeep Basi
Issue date: 10/19/06 Section: Campus News
Tali Hinkis and Kyle Lapidus are not who come to mind when you think of traditional art. Hinkis and Lapidus, better known as the group LoVid, have an interest in handmade video/audio synthesizers and manipulating them to create images and sounds that represent their artistic expressions. Once they have these videos, Hinkis and Lapidus sometimes choose to convert these images to collages, wall hangings, sculptures and other installations. Being vaguely familiar with this form of artistic expression, I decided to check out their performance in the Babbio Center.
When I first arrived, I noticed a various array of wires upon wires lying on a table next to the podium. After a brief introduction by Julie Harrison, Director of the Art and Technology Department, Hinkis and Lapidus went on to explain how the devices on the table were the "Coat of Embrace," a wearable version of an audio/video synthesizer, and that they would give a live demonstration toward the end of the show. Then Hinkis began talking about the roots and inspirations that helped form LoVid, starting from the late '60s where Nam June Paik became known as the founding father of video art. Eventually, LoVid showed a DVD that had some of their more popular video art pieces.
After a few minor technical difficulties, the DVD started. The first piece we viewed was entitled "Susquehanna." This consisted of crackling noises with white spots amidst a sea of blue moving back and forth that created the illusion of running water in my mind. Though the visual was very appeasing, the sound was very annoying and often overshadowed the visual aesthetics of the piece. Next up was a piece entitled "Cyclops." This consisted of an image of an eye with blinking lights inside accompanied by an arrangement of high pitch tones. I was hoping for a change, but the same image was looped again and again for what felt like eternity. After a painstaking minute or two, a red carpet runway visual appeared and linked into the image of the glowing eye. Looking around the room, there seemed to be mixed reactions amongst the audience. Some really appreciated the unique style of artistic expression while others, like myself, were just feigning interest out of courtesy.
When I first arrived, I noticed a various array of wires upon wires lying on a table next to the podium. After a brief introduction by Julie Harrison, Director of the Art and Technology Department, Hinkis and Lapidus went on to explain how the devices on the table were the "Coat of Embrace," a wearable version of an audio/video synthesizer, and that they would give a live demonstration toward the end of the show. Then Hinkis began talking about the roots and inspirations that helped form LoVid, starting from the late '60s where Nam June Paik became known as the founding father of video art. Eventually, LoVid showed a DVD that had some of their more popular video art pieces.
After a few minor technical difficulties, the DVD started. The first piece we viewed was entitled "Susquehanna." This consisted of crackling noises with white spots amidst a sea of blue moving back and forth that created the illusion of running water in my mind. Though the visual was very appeasing, the sound was very annoying and often overshadowed the visual aesthetics of the piece. Next up was a piece entitled "Cyclops." This consisted of an image of an eye with blinking lights inside accompanied by an arrangement of high pitch tones. I was hoping for a change, but the same image was looped again and again for what felt like eternity. After a painstaking minute or two, a red carpet runway visual appeared and linked into the image of the glowing eye. Looking around the room, there seemed to be mixed reactions amongst the audience. Some really appreciated the unique style of artistic expression while others, like myself, were just feigning interest out of courtesy.
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