The Channeled Image: Art and Media Politics after Television

In the 1960s, experimental artists used television to create immersive projection environments, live screening events, videographic distortion, and televised happenings. This formal experimentation influenced new modes of installation and challenged television broadcasters' claims to authority, setting the stage for struggles over access to the airwaves.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 07 November 2022
Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

A captivating exploration into the realm of artistic experimentation with televisual forms emerges. The 1960s witnessed a remarkable era of artistic innovation as experimental artists embraced the potential of television to push boundaries and challenge established norms. In her insightful book, "The Channeled Image," Erica Levin delves into the pioneering works of artists such as Carolee Schneemann, Bruce Conner, Stan VanDerBeek, and Aldo Tambellini, who emerged as visionaries in this field. These artists developed a novel formal language that foregrounded television's role in mediating a social order defined by the interests of the state, capital, and cultural elites. Through their groundbreaking creations, they introduced immersive projection environments, live screening events, videographic distortion, and televised happenings, among other forms.

Levin's concept of "the channeled image" encompasses a constellation of practices that mimic, simulate, or disrupt the appearance of televised images. This formal experimentation not only shaped new modes of installation but also influenced the development of multi-channel displays, mobile or split-screen projections, and experimental work produced for broadcast. The book poses profound questions about how artistic experimentation with televisual forms was shaped by events that challenged television broadcasters' claims to authority. These events laid the foundation for subsequent struggles over access to the airwaves and the distribution of media content.

In conclusion, "The Channeled Image" offers a captivating glimpse into the dynamic world of artistic experimentation with televisual forms. Through its detailed analysis and insightful perspectives, the book sheds light on the ways in which artists have pushed the boundaries of technology and media to create innovative and thought-provoking works that have had a lasting impact on the art world. It serves as a valuable resource for scholars, artists, and enthusiasts alike, providing a deeper understanding of the complex relationships between art, technology, and society in the post-television era.

Dimension: 229 x 152 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780226821955
Edition number: 1