Hypnotic galaxy of the video mind
2003-03-06
San Antonio Express-News
Hypnotic galaxy of the video mind
By Dan R. Goddard
San Antonio Express-News
Web Posted : 04/06/2003 12:00 AM
Brian Fridge creates swirling, mysterious black-and-white videos that look like galaxies and stars blazing in deepest space. New at ArtPace· Art as floating songs in public spaces· Tiny videos show odd moments· Hypnotic galaxy of the video mind
But instead of using the Hubble telescope or images from NASA, Fridge creates his own universe using ordinary materials such as steam and crystals. The Fort Worth artist, who was included in the 2000 Whitney Biennial, has four videos on view at ArtPace. During his residency, Fridge set up a laboratory of sorts, where he experimented with different types of materials to create images that resemble celestial phenomena. 'I'm trying for images that look like what people associate with outer space,' Fridge said. 'To me, there's also a sculptural quality to the work because they make you think about space and time. I like to come up with images that are engaging. That maybe create a sense of narrative.' He clicks off the color on his digital camera to achieve the black-and-white effects. And while his work may resemble crude Hollywood special effects, Fridge does not edit or manipulate his images — what you see is what he was working with in real time. In the most mysterious video, a glowing cloud of silvery dust appears to swirl within a vaporous vortex. Hypnotic and mesmerizing, the image moves slowly and serenely. Fridge wouldn't say what the image was made from, but it looks like crystals inside some sort of cloud chamber. Another video looks like a giant, staring eye — the object looks back. Or maybe it's an eclipse of the sun. Also, it could be read as the lines of gravity leading into a black hole. Resembling a close-up of the iris, the video is dominated by a black hole in the center of the screen with glowing lines emanating in a sunburst pattern. Fridge compares the universe to art because 'it is self-defined and at the service of nothing.' While much video art focuses on simple, often deliberately boring scenes for tedious amounts of time, Fridge's constantly shifting images are mysterious and meditative, imaginary universes that can be explored again and again.
04/06/2003
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