PV A1 wk3 Practice Analysis

The Divine Comedy – Mona

Who is the practitioner? Who made the work?

This work is published on the Museum of Old and New Art’s Instagram IGTV. It is unclear who the specific practitioners are other than made by MONA which is a gallery known for being abstract and experimental located in Tasmania.

What is the video about? Who is the interviewee or participant? What are they discussing?

Within the video artist Alfredo Jaar talks about The Divine Comedy, his permanent new artwork at Mona. He speaks about the definition of inferno with modern focus on the emergency crisis of the planet. He speaks how his work gives insight into he world in the next 10-12 years of we do not react to this crisis. Speaking abut life and death and the reaction to nature the video takes a dramatic and intense journey ending on the conversation of the essence of life.

Briefly talk about the form of the video.

It interested me that the aspect ratio of this video is similar to that you might see on youtube, where most commonly instagram is portrait this is vertical. However, this allows for a dramatic and more professional aesthetic qualities to be achieved. The entire start and near to the end of the video is edited to be black and red. With direct correlation to the content of the video this enhances the dramatic nature and creates an almost demon like intensity to the video. This is supported by the use of music which is heat following and allows the slowly spoken words to have meaning and the timing is precise. The use of close ups maintains the mystery for the artwork itself as well as creating a slight sense of confusion. The lighting invites silhouettes to be the main source of movement which again reales to mystery. The camera is often in slight motion with the likely use of a gimbal and tripod. the edits are professional with use of a a program such a premier pro being possible.

What makes this work experimental? How is it different? Think about the content and form, and the methods used to make it?

This work is experimental as it remains an informative documentary at heart but is presented like an experimental horror film. Evoking emotions of fear and with mystery at its core. For an informative video about an artist and their work mystery at the core is rather unheard of. The abstract camera angles and lighting as well as edits and red colour scheme also contribute to the experimental qualities and overall create an experimental work. The unseen artist is also unusual for interview base content these techniques are however effective and striking.

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