#performance for camera

Roi Vaara, Towards the Sky

Why would you want to hear a word so distant

Single channel HD projection with sound 07.31 mins 2010

I pose as a journalist, holding a microphone in my hand and interviewing passers-by. In each interview, lasting about half a minute, no question is asked, no answer is given and no word is spoken.

I Wish I Could Live In Andy Warhol’s Dream Of America (2016) I conceived this photograph about 3 months ago, but decided to take the plunge. At first I somehow imagined a teal motif, but as the sense of Warholia grew, it seemed to be the red, white and blue hyper-real American motif that led the look, including the red, white and blue of the suit. The fake nails served two purposes: firstly, it mae tasks like eating, opening a can of coke and using a tin opener very difficult, but secondly it also gave Warhol a ‘wraith-like’ appearance. It’s almost as if this is a ‘queer zombie apparition’ of Warhol rather than an imitation, parody or direct copy. The excessive consumption alludes to the idea of high capitalism and high commercialism in his art, and the way it embodied the American ideal. Of course, Warhol has used these motifs himself in his work, including Campbells and Coca Cola, while he has commented on McDonald’s. There was also a strong ‘red’ colour throughout the brands. Surprising if this colour is the epitome of socialism.