An Idealized History (Double Screen)

2007
Country: UK
Colour,
Sound: Stereo
Ratio: 4:3
Available Format/s: DVD / Digibeta tape / SD Digital file
Original Format: SD video

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A slow motion double projection creates a tableau which examines two different points in history; from the beginning of Western civilization as seen through the use of a reproduction Greek temple in San Francisco to the apocalyptic future/end of civilization as seen through a contemporary neo-tribe gathering in Nevada. The classical architecture juxtaposes strength and stability against the chaos of the Burning Man festival and is intensified through the use of spiritually emotive music. These ambiguous images question the role of the observer (tourists), how accurately history is recorded and how much of our present viewpoint of history (even an imaginary future history) can be idealized and sentimentalized through picture-postcard imagery in a quest to find utopia.

More works by Grace Ndiritu

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