"Our Land" is an on going, ten part, video series, (currently five parts are complete) in which I compose and sing music, write, direct, construct sets for and act in.
The premise of the narrative consists of a computer store manager, Chad, who has a vision of escape from the oppressions of a capitalist society through the creation of a new technology. Chad invites his two favorite employees on his journey during an after-work, woodcarving activity. He promises a utopic land in the desert, in which they will live in a social and technological community and ultimately find peace within themselves and freedom from wage labor. The script loosely shadows the rise of the .com industries of the late 90s, stories of technological inventors and entrepreneurs of the 80s and 90s, as well as the stories of alternative religious and social reformation groups that have attempted to branch off from society in hopes of a better existence.
Chad's new technology is a small crystal object, which he calls a microchip. However, it is not clear how it works or what it does. Although I do have hope in the ability of new invention, throughout the video, the chip remains as black-box technology and serves primarily as a catalyst for action.
This hope in breaking away becomes the dominating element in the story, especially reflected in the lyrical interludes between chapters, in which duets, in the style of Elizabethan theater, reveal the dreams, anxieties and motivations of the characters. The traditional dramaturgy is counterbalanced by the character's quotidian dress: short-sleeve knits shirts and work slacks. Throughout the videos, I attempt a balance between the seemingly eternal: concretely historical and otherworldly elements, with the transitory: contemporary and everyday elements.
Currently in the story, the group has made it to the desert, started a microchip factory, just unveiled their product to the public in a keynote-type lecture, and a child has been born. In the tradition of the epic, there will be some turmoil ahead that threatens the success of the company and changes within the work staff and modes of development.
All aspects in the creation of the work have been self-produced and edited with Macintosh software applications such as Final Cut Pro, Garage Band and Logic Pro. The music has been digitally composed. As always, I encourage the education and use of digital technology in art making and distribution. I have been, and will continue to be, keeping the distribution of exhibition copies of the video free by sending anyone interested a copy.
I have just recently started exhibiting Our Land. It is currently showing at Columbia's MFA thesis show in Dumbo. In late May it will exhibit at the Kitchen in New York as part of North Drive Press’ video show, NDP; The Movie, and in June, Our Land is scheduled to exhibit in Tel Aviv as part of an international show held by Bazalel Academy. Since video work is often hard to locate and view, I hope to continue to exhibit the work, but more importantly give those that don't have the opportunity to see it in person, a chance to own a copy by contacting me through such sites as Rhizome.
Full Description
"Our Land" is an on going, ten part, video series, (currently five parts are complete) in which I compose and sing music, write, direct, construct sets for and act in.
The premise of the narrative consists of a computer store manager, Chad, who has a vision of escape from the oppressions of a capitalist society through the creation of a new technology. Chad invites his two favorite employees on his journey during an after-work, woodcarving activity. He promises a utopic land in the desert, in which they will live in a social and technological community and ultimately find peace within themselves and freedom from wage labor. The script loosely shadows the rise of the .com industries of the late 90s, stories of technological inventors and entrepreneurs of the 80s and 90s, as well as the stories of alternative religious and social reformation groups that have attempted to branch off from society in hopes of a better existence.
Chad's new technology is a small crystal object, which he calls a microchip. However, it is not clear how it works or what it does. Although I do have hope in the ability of new invention, throughout the video, the chip remains as black-box technology and serves primarily as a catalyst for action.
This hope in breaking away becomes the dominating element in the story, especially reflected in the lyrical interludes between chapters, in which duets, in the style of Elizabethan theater, reveal the dreams, anxieties and motivations of the characters. The traditional dramaturgy is counterbalanced by the character's quotidian dress: short-sleeve knits shirts and work slacks. Throughout the videos, I attempt a balance between the seemingly eternal: concretely historical and otherworldly elements, with the transitory: contemporary and everyday elements.
Currently in the story, the group has made it to the desert, started a microchip factory, just unveiled their product to the public in a keynote-type lecture, and a child has been born. In the tradition of the epic, there will be some turmoil ahead that threatens the success of the company and changes within the work staff and modes of development.
All aspects in the creation of the work have been self-produced and edited with Macintosh software applications such as Final Cut Pro, Garage Band and Logic Pro. The music has been digitally composed. As always, I encourage the education and use of digital technology in art making and distribution. I have been, and will continue to be, keeping the distribution of exhibition copies of the video free by sending anyone interested a copy.
I have just recently started exhibiting Our Land. It is currently showing at Columbia's MFA thesis show in Dumbo. In late May it will exhibit at the Kitchen in New York as part of North Drive Press’ video show, NDP; The Movie, and in June, Our Land is scheduled to exhibit in Tel Aviv as part of an international show held by Bazalel Academy. Since video work is often hard to locate and view, I hope to continue to exhibit the work, but more importantly give those that don't have the opportunity to see it in person, a chance to own a copy by contacting me through such sites as Rhizome.
Work metadata
- Year Created: 2006
- Submitted to ArtBase: Monday May 15th, 2006
- Original Url: http://
- Permalink: http://
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Work Credits:
- Ronnie Bass, creator
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