M.T.A.A.

Mark River and Tim Whid formed M.T.A.A. (M. River & T. Whid Art Associates) in 1996 and soon thereafter began making public art on the Internet. They’re a pair of very quirky and interesting individuals. For instance, in reading their online biography (the LONG version, mind you), I learned that Mark River prefers to be referred to as M.River in any publications (therefore, I shall accommodate his wishes from now on), but likes to be called Mike in person. Likewise, Tim Whid prefers T.Whid, but unlike his partner prefers to be called by is actual name in person, Tim.

There work is interactive and enthralling. Many times their pieces will require the viewer to push a button in order to make it to the next phase (Five Small Videos on Interruption and Disappearing), that or they’ll give very detailed instructions, as in 99 Steps to Comtemporary Art in Your Bedroom, a text heavy piece that was originally meant for a publication, but that M.River built a website for.

However, I found their 1 Year Performance Video the most interesting. I will be honest, it took me a minute to realize that they weren’t ACTUALLY doing this video for a YEAR straight (when I began my year of watching, the duo was due to appear here at CU for their lecture TWO days from then … in fact, if you were to open the link in two separate windows, you would not see the same things happening!). It’s a piece made up of many different clips edited together accessed according to the time. In the morning, you’ll see the guys in their separate chambers doing morning things (waking up, shaving, etc), at night, night things (SLEEPING…), and then throughout, a bunch of random activities to occupy the time (walking in circles, eating, staring at a wall, etc.). The catch is however, every time you close the window and then reopen to continue watching your time begins again … it’s NEVER ENDING cycle of MADNESS! Personally I haven’t made it past 00000477 of 31536000 seconds.

SO, basically these two just have fun with their art. They take process performance art from the 60s and 70s and make them part of their “series of updates” by performing it themselves and by using modern technologies (replacing human processes with computer processes): 1 Year Performance Video updates Sam Hsieh’s One Year Performance 1978-1979 (aka Cage Piece).

POLAROID 600 MANIPULATION

STEPHEN VITIELLO

It’s interesting to think that EVERYTHING we hear during the day (BESIDES, and yet including, “music”) can be transformed and concentrated into something that would be considered “MUSIC” or even “ART.” Falling raindrops to brakes screeching in the streets … things that easily go unrecognized or that are quickly discarded, form these complex rhythms that can only be heard when the listener truly focuses their attention to the task.

Stephen Vitiello takes the din of everyday life and makes art. He is what is considered a sound/”noise” artist. He does installations, Internet, video, film, dance and music for audio CD. Not only a solo artist, he has also collaborated with many other visual artists, musicians and choreographers, enhancing and aiding in the presentation of their works. For example, in 2006, Vitiello collaborated with video artists Matt Flowers and Nic Desantis. Their video featured at the 804noise festival consists of recurring images and industrial sounds.

Overall, his style isn’t exactly my own, however, I find it extremely interesting that he does what he does. I’ve found myself sitting on the bus just listening to nothing, but then finding rhythm in naturally (or unnaturally) occuring sounds. I appreciate his World Trade Center Recordings: Winds After Hurrican Floyd more than some of his others because he doesn’t digitally manipulate the recording. In the piece he placed microphones on the outside of the 91st floor of the World Trade Center to record what was going on outside (passing planes, wind, birds, etc.). In simply playing back a recording, those listening can truely experience that which he is trying to present.