Bill Viola
BILL VIOLA
The Raft, 2004
Color high-definition video projection on wall in a darkened space; 5.1 channels of surround sound
Room dimensions: 29 ft 6 in. x 23 ft x 13 ft (9 x 7 x 3.96 m)
Duration: 10:33 minutes
Performers: Sheryl Arenson, Robin Bonaccorsi, Rocky Capella, Cathy Chang, Liisa Cohen, Tad Coughenour, James Ford, Michael Irby, Simon Karimian, John Kim, Tanya Little, Mike Martinez, Petro Martirosian, Jeff Mosley, Gladys Peters, Maria Victoria, Kaye Wade, Kim Weild, Ellis Williams
Edition of 3
JCG2284
James Cohan is pleased to present an exhibition of video works by the groundbreaking artist Bill Viola, on view at 291 Grand Street from November 9 through December 21, 2024. This is the late artist’s ninth solo exhibition at James Cohan. The gallery will host an opening reception on Saturday, November 9 from 4-6 PM to honor Viola's life and legacy. Renowned media arts scholar and curator John G. Hanhardt will give remarks.
Bill Viola (1951-2024) was a pioneer in the fields of new media, video, and installation art. For over 50 years his visionary environments, defined by immersive video and soundscapes, focused on the fundamental human experiences of birth, death, and the unfolding of consciousness. Viola also drew great inspiration from spiritual traditions, including Zen Buddhism, Islamic Sufism, and Christian mysticism. By slowing down his images, Viola shifted viewers’ sense of perception and awareness to reveal the inner world.
This exhibition is centered upon Viola's large-scale video installation, The Raft, 2004, exhibited for the first time in New York. Captured in slow-motion, The Raft arouses a visceral experience of calamity and shared humanity, provoking a consideration of the range of responses to crisis and the resilience to be found in community.
