Video Art

Video art is a new art form which is included into the whole range of pictorial arts. Its specific feature is the usage of video pictures, computer and television pictures for the creation of an artistic work.

Unlike similar types of video works (like music videos, trailers of movies and computer games, TV ads) video art is not aimed at receiving profits and to a large extent it's made for a "qualified" viewer. They are usually shown in such places as exhibitions, galleries, museums and so on. Video art does not use shocking images, advanced technologies of editing, expensive computer effects, conceptual plot and special effects as high-priority goals. Such elements may be used together with other techniques as a means of attaining the final artistic goal.

Video art as a widespread phenomenon started approximately in 1970 when first video cameras appeared on the market and everybody was able to shoot short home-made movies. Such works mainly mocked the existing tricks of commercial television and the dominating culture in general.

The name "video art" is connected with video tapes as a major carrier of video information used not so long ago. Of course, today video art is made mainly with digital technologies like digital cameras, CD's, DVD's and so on.

Today video art is represented by two major subtypes: single video and installation. Single video works like conventional television – a work is shown on TV. Installation requires certain environment and at least two TV screens with different images representing one single concept.