Widely recognized as the leading video artist of our time, Bill Viola employs sophisticated state-of-the-art technologies to create installations that envelop the viewer in image and sound. In his newest and most evocative work— on display at the Deutsche Guggenheim Berlin and in this accompanying catalogue—an ordered sequence of allegorical fresco-like images immerse the viewer in a total aesthetic, sensory, and philosophical experience. Including an interview with the artist—who represented the United States at the 1995 Venice Biennale and whose career was the subject of a major 1997 traveling exhibition organized by the Whitney Museum of American Art—this is a mesmerizing volume.
A very well put together catalogue-book concerning Viola's "Going Forth by Day" installation, which consists of 5 videos.
The high quality photographs, which are plenty, taken from each of the videos, are beautiful and combined with the texts that accompany them, manage to create an accurate description of how the videos and the overall installation, really are.
However, the most interesting part of this book, is the 30page interview with the artist. Viola talks about his influences, his view of art and the world and tackles some of the technical issues concerning his works. The interview covers some of his more known pieces, such as "The Greeting" and doesn't limit itself to the videos of "Going Forth by Day". It's a very enlightening dialogue that gives a great deal of insight into the artist's works.
The book also has some "procedural" drawings and notes, giving us a glimpse on how these videos were made, and how much work and effort was put into them.
It's a beautiful presentation of an amazing artist. If you are interested in video-art, or in Viola, I definitely recommend reading it.