The Commission @ Woody Vasulka. 1983

The Commission est une oeuvre charnière dans l'évolution de Woody Vasulka, qui a trouvé le moyen d'élargir son propos bien au delà des expérimentations qui ont précédé. Contrairement aux bandes des années 70, The Commission se présente clairement comme une oeuvre d'art à part entière, avec l'ambition et la subjectivité que cela implique. Que Woody ait choisi de traiter une histoire où il est question d'art, de pouvoir, de sincérité et d'audace se lit bien sûr comme une métaphore de sa propre situation d'artiste à la marge des institutions, inventeur et bricoleur, résistant aux catégories trop rigides. (LLH)
45:00 1983
The Commision is an ambitious narrative in operatic form which blends video effects and electronically manipulated sound with stylized docu-drama. Based on the real-life drama of Niccolo Paginini, the 19th century violinist and composer (Ernest Gusella); and his contemporary, Hector Berlioz (Robert Ashley); the work addresses themes of the exploitation of genius, the artist as tragic hero, and the historical exploration of inspiration in the Romantic tradition. —Bob Riley, Institute of Contemporary Art Boston.
1983, 44:55 min, color, sound
Applying his electronic imaging codes to narrative in The Commission, Vasulka develops a metaphorical image language to envision an epic electronic opera. The text, which is based on the relationship of violinist Niccolo Paganini (played by video artist Ernest Gusella) and composer Hector Berlioz (composer/performer Robert Ashley), confronts myths of Romanticism, history and art-making. Constructing a fantastic video theater, Vasulka stages a narrative of transformation, an intricately crafted blend of figuration and abstraction, in which imaging techniquesserve as expressive visual syntax. Specific video effects are assigned interpretive meaning; reframed images proliferate within images in re-compositions that propel the narrative progression. The Commission is a pivotal work in the articulation of narrative strategies through an electronic image language.
Camera: Steina. With: Robert Ashley, Ernest Gusella, Cosimo Corsano, Ben Harris, Andrea Harris, David Ossman. Set Design: Bradford Smith. Editor: Peter Kirby. Audio Mix: Baird Banner. Vocoder: Harald Bode. Scan Processor: Rutt/Etra. Digital Articulator: Jeffrey Schier.