What is time based art and design?This unit asks you to solve a ‘time based problem

in design’This presentation is designed to give you an introduction to what role ‘time’ might play in art and design. The term time-based media (and time-based art) was first introduced by UK video art pioneer David Hall in 1972 through his writings in various publications and refers to art that has a durational dimension. Part of what it means to experience the art is to watch it unfold over time or change with respect to time.

Usually time-based media are video, slide, light, projection, film, sound, audio, or computer based, along with photography, performance and live art, but the term is open to interpretation.

Task 1; What does time mean?

In your sketchbook/ research book;

List as many words and ideas as you can that you associate with the concept of ‘time’ or ‘time passing’

time and video

Video art emerged when the boundaries between traditional art practices were becoming blurred. It grew partly from the need for artists to record their performance work in the 1960s. Artists have used the camera as an extension of their own bodies whether performing an action, as a type of body sculpture or enabling audience participation in the work itself.

Some artists that ink with these ideas are; Bruce Nauman, Marina Abramovic,

Sam Taylor- Johnson Still Life 2001 Douglas Gordon 24hour Psycho 1993

Harold Offeh Smile 2001All three of these artists use ‘time passing’ as a concept and starting point for their work.

Watch these videos (if you click on the

video, the link should work) and analyse the work, using the questions on the next slide.

You will need to do a bit of online research around the artist/ art work

Things to ask about the work;

• What do you see? Describe the visual impact of the work

• How does this work relate to time? Use some of the ‘time’ words and concepts that you wrote down in task 1.

• What has the artist done to time?• Has the idea of time itself, changed in this work?• What is the relevance of sound? Is there any? What is

it?• Is there a narrative or a story? What do you think it is?

Narrative, Series, Sequence, Duration, Moment, Memory

Video can be said to be the ‘art of time’. Unlike any traditional art form, time can be manipulated, literally slowed down, sped up, repeated or erased, redefining the boundaries of past, present and future.

Photographers who work with series and sequences of images also work with the concept of time, reminding us of the ‘then and the now’ inherent in the still image.

‘

The photograph acts as an instrument of travel in timeand memory.’ Philippe Dubois (writer)

‘All photographs are memento mori. Precisely by slicing this moment and freezing it, all photographs testify to time’s relentless melt.’ Susan Sontag (writer)

Some thoughts on photography and ‘time passing’….

Light itself is time based.Photography depends on light.We can use light in photographs to show time passing.

Look at the work of Takihiro Sato on the next slides. Watch the video to see how he uses light in his work. Use this link.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAvTajJCqbs

In our first encounter with the

photographs of Tokihiro Sato,

we find a very poetic, lyrical

world. Strange particles of light

dispersed throughout the

landscapes, cityscapes and

deserted houses. Objects bathed

and rimmed with light like

illuminations. Perfectly still

and deep, they present a single

scene of light that seems to

breathe

This is a really brief introduction to how artists and designers might use light and/or time in their work.

Try not to get confused,

Your starting theme is ‘light’, not ‘time’.

‘ time based’ is a term to describe a way in which the art is made. It has duration, or a narrative. For this first stage of the project you are expected to explore the breadth of possibilities in which light can be used in both art and design.

Task

Research several of the artists/ designers on your brief and explore how they use lighting in their work.

Gather images and information

Look at the websites and blogs/books listed on your brief to explore these ideas further.

http://chicagoartmagazine.com/2011/01/is-time-really-everything-time-based-artists/