Customer Reviews

The Art of Bill Viola

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At the first introduction of so-called 'art' in the form of videotapes played in museum and gallery installations caused a public response of skepticism: how can something so transient as filmed activity be called Art? The validity of video art is now accepted as one of the more creative venues of artistic expression and that is due to a very great degree to the pioneering efforts of Bill Viola, a uniquely gifted man who now is accepted internationally as one of the most important artists of our time.

This brilliant book as created by Chris Townsend explores Bill Viola's works from the 1970s to 2004 with abundant photographs of 'stills' images from his videos that even in the frozen state of the book page are shatteringly poignant and beautiful. Perhaps for those uninformed about Viola's work this format will not impress, but the book may stimulate more people to seek out installations of his works as they appear in the varied arenas of art around the world. Townsend includes contributions by excellent writers such as Rhys Davies, Cynthia Freeland, Antonio Guesa, David Jasper, Jonathan Lahey-Dronsfield, David Morgan, Otto Neumaier, Elizabeth ten Grotenhiuis, Jean Wainwright - each of whom brings not only artistic verification but also personal response to Viola's many projects.

Perhaps one of the most successful works Viola has produced has been THE TRISTAN PROJECT in which he worked in tandem with Director Peter Sellars, Conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and Gehry's Disney Hall to re-think the Wagner masterpiece "Tristan und Isolde" in terms of the elements of water, fire, and the spiritual transformation of love - all by adding the element of projected gigantic screens of Viola's models in movement that created an opera production so profound that it is being staged throughout the world to both audience rapture and critical acclaim.

Bill Viola is a living genius and this fine book helps to inform us why. Highly Recommended. Grady Harp, November 05

Having recently seen Bill Viola's sublime video installation "Ocean Without a Shore" at the National Art Gallery of Victoria, in Melbourne, I was compelled to find out more about the artists' techniques and works. I purchased this book after reading other glowing reviews on this site. The edition comprises a selection of topical chapters, most written by different people, with a generally academic purpose. For those looking for research material or `artistic context' this is probably quite useful, but for those readers with a more general interest in art, and in particular Bill Viola's works, then it may disappoint. I was after more information about the artists' works, and the techniques he uses to execute them. Unfortunately this is not a useful source of such. Bill Viola's works are extraordinary, and deserve study. No doubt this book has a useful place in the libraries of tertiary institutions, but it is not likely to provide the armchair art enthusiast, or Viola fan, with a good Sunday afternoon read. But looking past the hype of other reviewers (which read like advertorials) it is clear that isn't the books intent. Generally, I found it a disappointment.

Sixty illustrations, all but five in color, lend to Chris Townsend's compilation Art Of Bill Viola, the first extensive critical appraisal of the works of video and installation artist Vignola. From themes surrounding the relationship of Vignola's art to religions to essays which consider his international influences and reputation, The Art Of Bill Viola is a 'must' for any in-depth art collection strong in video and installation works and artists.