Close to Nature
Willim, Robert LU
(2011)
- Abstract
- What does it mean to be close to nature? This question is examined in this video work based on 9 short clips. The first clip of a woody landscape was recorded outside of Taivalkoski, Koillismaa, Finland using an Intenso Viddy, a cheap Video Messenger.
The clip, 30 seconds in duration, of the landscape was transferred from the Viddy to a laptop. When played on the laptop the screen was filmed with the Viddy, creating the second clip and another iteration of the primary filmed sequence. The process was repeated until there were 9 clips representing the landscape. Each of the nine iterations brings the viewer closer to the scenery, while the image and sound also become more distorted and noisy.
The Viddy was marketed as a... (More) - What does it mean to be close to nature? This question is examined in this video work based on 9 short clips. The first clip of a woody landscape was recorded outside of Taivalkoski, Koillismaa, Finland using an Intenso Viddy, a cheap Video Messenger.
The clip, 30 seconds in duration, of the landscape was transferred from the Viddy to a laptop. When played on the laptop the screen was filmed with the Viddy, creating the second clip and another iteration of the primary filmed sequence. The process was repeated until there were 9 clips representing the landscape. Each of the nine iterations brings the viewer closer to the scenery, while the image and sound also become more distorted and noisy.
The Viddy was marketed as a fridge magnet with possibilities to record and play messages. With it’s 1,8” screen, simple microphone and camera it has poor audio-visual qualities. In Close to Nature the limited quality of the Viddy is used to evoke the character of the work. Each iteration of the initial clip induces a closer image, but also more abstraction. By using the side effects of a cheap consumer electronic device, and no video editing of the clips, serendipitous ready-made dimensions and glitch aesthetics are high lighted. In contrast to genres of landscape art, and representations of nature where the sublime and feelings of wonder and awe are valued, Close to Nature instead stresses an appreciation of imperfection, chance, and the juxtaposition of a media dominated consumer society with experiences of nature. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
https://lup.lub.lu.se/record/282d7f85-d387-4b04-8fe4-804bf882e5ed
- author
- Willim, Robert
LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2011
- type
- Non-textual form
- publication status
- published
- subject
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- 282d7f85-d387-4b04-8fe4-804bf882e5ed
- alternative location
- http://robertwillim.com/transmutations-of-nature-2
- date added to LUP
- 2016-11-26 22:32:37
- date last changed
- 2018-11-21 21:27:41
@misc{282d7f85-d387-4b04-8fe4-804bf882e5ed,
abstract = {{What does it mean to be close to nature? This question is examined in this video work based on 9 short clips. The first clip of a woody landscape was recorded outside of Taivalkoski, Koillismaa, Finland using an Intenso Viddy, a cheap Video Messenger.<br/><br/>The clip, 30 seconds in duration, of the landscape was transferred from the Viddy to a laptop. When played on the laptop the screen was filmed with the Viddy, creating the second clip and another iteration of the primary filmed sequence. The process was repeated until there were 9 clips representing the landscape. Each of the nine iterations brings the viewer closer to the scenery, while the image and sound also become more distorted and noisy.<br/><br/>The Viddy was marketed as a fridge magnet with possibilities to record and play messages. With it’s 1,8” screen, simple microphone and camera it has poor audio-visual qualities. In Close to Nature the limited quality of the Viddy is used to evoke the character of the work. Each iteration of the initial clip induces a closer image, but also more abstraction. By using the side effects of a cheap consumer electronic device, and no video editing of the clips, serendipitous ready-made dimensions and glitch aesthetics are high lighted. In contrast to genres of landscape art, and representations of nature where the sublime and feelings of wonder and awe are valued, Close to Nature instead stresses an appreciation of imperfection, chance, and the juxtaposition of a media dominated consumer society with experiences of nature.}},
author = {{Willim, Robert}},
language = {{eng}},
title = {{Close to Nature}},
url = {{http://robertwillim.com/transmutations-of-nature-2}},
year = {{2011}},
}