HHD#2.

A Selection of Observations Made During the Viewing of Several Videos.

The videos shall be remembered as a good part of today's education. The basis of the artist profile is simple: the artist talking about themselves and their work, very brief [if any] narration by someone else, footage of the work and also of the working process. The artist is seated, perhaps in their studio, and lit in a manner that bolsters their market personality. Exhibitions are shown populated and in progress if possible/performed/'live'. Details and titles appear in a modest white font which casts a light, grey shadow. The year of the art's birth or reign of its existence is shown after a comma, as well as any significant location details.

The video opens with a moving title that represents the series, which also has a terrible 'backwardsy' sound, like someone has just discovered the merits of Sound Recorder. This title gives the promise of the unexpected; exactly what you'd expect from an art video to promise. Of course, the contents are static and second hand, a by-by-product promoting the past. The artist speaks of work gone by, perhaps well used to explaining it and tend to enjoy linking it to their personal life [especially childhood - nobody ever bullshits about their important formative years].

The reflective process is eased forwards by the unseen, and mostly unheard, interviewer. The artist brings a biographical storyline that shows the work part of a bigger thing. It is important that the artist is depicted in their natural context. There is something nice about seeing someone inventing meaning on film [digital video to be precise].

Flick some stills in there. Pan over things silently, draw out the awe. Look at those gestures. Look at the eyes - what are they looking to? Do they aim to maintain contact with the invisible interviewer? Maybe I should have one location and invite the individuals over for a 'chat'...nothing at all pretentious about deliberate informality is there? Natural as swearing with a pause.

I suppose the characters need keywords to describe them before I create them - I already know that I will have a lot of fun being a performance artist and have been spilling titles all down my scraps. Are those artists on the video performing? Who isn't? Isn't communication a compromise? Oh mighty resentment, you give laziness such emotional depth.

Location shots are essential. Artists grow increasingly conversational, animated and confident. None of them discuss their next work but hint at its possible roots. Major [famous/infamous/celebrated/memorable] works are depicted and explained in terms of intention [if known] and reactions [public/critical/personal-artist]. Names and places add authority, the more casual the better, but not so familiar as to suggest a Masonic network.

The end titles: black screen, white facts. Normally 2 screens. The final visual is another credit to the production company which includes a website.

Being bald acts me different. I am going to eat a sandwich containing processed cheese, carrot, leek and cucumber. Because vegetable never scream within our hearing range.