Week 7_Response_Evan Hoyt

 Week 7 Response

Gary Hill, “Primarily Speaking” (1981-83)

http://www.medienkunstnetz.de/works/primarily-speaking/video/1/ (1:38)

This video starts shows a computerized-looking color bar, with two small windows showing different clips of objects and scenes helping illustrate the spoken words in the audio. The narrator, Gary Hill, gives a lot of food for thought, asking questions and giving statements that have the viewer think deeply about their situation and direction. Road signs, scenery, and other objects are among some of the video clips displayed. He also occasionally uses different common sayings and phrases, giving them a little twist: for example, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks, or can you?" This gives the viewer room the consider and think outside the box.

In the introduction of the video, there is a robotic voice that says different syllables, it reminded me of a computer sound test, while the colors resembled a graphics test of some sort. This was made in the 80's, which could also be attributed to some of the more retro aspects in the video.

The overall idea behind the video is pretty experimental, but I think language and perception have a lot to do with it. Thinking about the exact word choice and video clips Hill chose in this particular edit, it all seems very carefully picked out to go together in each given frame. The exact message is hard to decipher clearly, and I think that was the intention of the artist; the viewer has a lot to ponder and think about from the content, which could result in many different interpretations of the video.