Immersed in the Single Channel Response

Immersed in the Single Channel Response

Laura U. Marks articulated her view of the status of experimental video art exceptionally well. Experimental video artists are losing space. Money is a factor, free platforms like YouTube and Vimeo are tough for galleries to compete with mainly because of how relatively accessible they are if you can afford a device that is Wi-Fi enabled. She mentioned that the quality is usually poor, but for most people, quality can be compromised for affordability, and that’s just a reality.
The nature of experimental video determines the best place to present it. If galleries are where the artists want their work installed, then the duration of the piece matters. Do they want the video consumed in its entirety or are they okay with people sticking around just long enough to get the gist? When I encounter films at the gallery, I often catch it somewhere in the middle. I don’t know how long the piece is or where I am in it, and time starts to really expand for me. So, I watch until I get the idea and then move on. However, if I were to see it in a theater setting then I’d kick back with my popcorn and my hard cider and just experience the ride. It’s not competing with anything else at that moment, and that’s the value of it. 
I think the gallery approach works best for either short snackable content or with something that may be longer in duration but almost redundant in concept. Otherwise you risk it not being properly experienced, which is all that matters at the end of the day. Where will the piece best be received, be it the gallery, the theater, or online.

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