Evolution

Steina Vasulka, Woody Vasulka / United States / 1969 / Czech Premiere / 13 min.

synopsis

Although the video artwork Evolution cites the well-known image of hominid evolution, it is more interested in the evolution of the media than in the evolution of the human species. Through the feedback of a system of video devices and the search for image imitation, it creates a layered (self-)reflection of the media used. It illustrates the gradual peeling back of artistic and technical possibilities in sound, from which an image is generated by directly manipulating the surface of the filmstrip, and in images that generate sound in video feedback.

“A three-part tape, comprising the foundations of our early work. Sound-generated images, one activated by video feedback, and a horizontally drifting image.”

Source: Steina et Woody Vasulka: Vidéastes, Paris: Ciné-MBXA, Cinédoc, 1984.

biography

Steina Vasulka (1940) and Woody Vasulka (1937–2019) are important representatives of electronic audiovisual art and video art. Steina, a violinist originally from Iceland, is, among other things, the author of multimedia installations and electronic audio performances. Woody (Bohuslav Vašulka) was born in Brno, studied documentary filmmaking at FAMU and, after his emigration to the USA, conducted artistic research on video and electronic audiovisual art and their theoretical reflection, and also dealt with issues related to the conditions of their genesis and preservation. The two worked together on some projects. In 2008, Woody Vasulka participated in Ji.hlava IDFF as part of his own workshop, while in 2011 the festival offered a cross-section of Vasulka's Czechoslovak work under the banner of Special Screening, and in 2015 presented archival video footage of New York concerts and private performances filmed by the Vasulkas. Ji.hlava IDFF also co-published Lenka Dolanová's book Dialogue with the Demons of Instruments – Steina and Woody Vasulka (NAMU 2011).