Artist field note

Bill Viola

Slow time makes emotion visible.

Appears inVideo
The Crossing by Bill Viola — Example from the series
Example from the series · publicdelivery.org · See source for rightsSource ↗

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The Crossing

1996

A figure approaches, then is consumed by fire in one projection and water in another. Elemental destruction becomes strangely calm.

The five in one idea

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