Artist field note

Bill Viola

Slow time makes emotion visible.

Appears inVideo
The Reflecting Pool by Bill Viola
Art Institute of Chicago · Rights may be restricted · Rights reviewSource ↗

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The Reflecting Pool

1977-79

A man jumps toward a pool and freezes in midair while reflections continue. Video separates bodily time from image time.

The five in one idea

Viola uses video’s control of time to make tiny bodily changes carry the weight of painting and ritual.