Скачать или смотреть Postfuture (1991)

WARNING: Flashing Lights, Violence

Christian Greuel
California Institute of the Arts (1991)

With the metaphorical baggage inherent in violence, "Postfuture" uses the act and the outcome as opposing ends of a lever which is balanced upon the fulcrum of the perpetual moment to describe the explosive dynamism hidden within the intangibility of any given instant. The immediacy of pure existence, being continuously refreshed, is never to be revisited except in the form of idealized and corrupted memories.

Weaving a braid of sepia-toned war propaganda with computer-enhanced demolition, "Postfuture" sets emotionally charged images, originally intended for the manipulation of mass consciousness, against artificially beautified demolition in a charged, dualistic manner. The message is not intended to actually appear in the visuals that are beating against each other, but rather in the immeasurable space between.

The kinetic images, riding on a roller coaster of sonic abrasion, consistently strobe at a rate of 7.5 Hz, the same rate at which the human brain electromagnetically oscillates when in a deep state of meditation. When the viewer’s mind successfully links with this sensory metronome, it will then be balanced between the conscious and subconscious states where it can most effectively accept suggestion.

Video and Music: Christian Greuel
A/D Transfer: Aaron Ross (2003)

Video: realized at California Institute of the Arts (1991)
Music: "Clear Liquid Train" created in the East Ukrainian Village, Chicago (circa 1989)
Original video footage: Video 8, Oak Creek Power Plant, Wisconsin (1988)
Found film footage: 16mm B&W, edited to video at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (circa 1988)

Video Processing Hardware: Hearne/EAB Videolab, Fairlight CVI
Audio: Roland SH-5 analog synthesizer, Ampex 456 4-track 1/4" analog tape