Debt:Death
by James-Croft
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This work has been commented by 1 curator(s). Read the comments
Title
Debt:Death
Headline
Debt:Death
Concept author(s)
James Croft
Concept author year(s) of birth
1990
Concept author(s) contribution
Developed the idea and created the work.
Concept author(s) Country
Australia
Friendly Competition
Competition category
Visual communication practice
Competition subcategory
moving
Competition field
academic
Competition subfield
student
Subfield description
University of Ballarat Bachelor of Visual Arts (Graphic Design/Multimedia)
Check out the Debt. 2012 outlines of Memefest Friendly competition.
Description of idea
Describe your idea and concept of your work in relation to the festival outlines:
To respond to the theme of debt I have created a video art piece designed for use in an immersive video installation. In my response I have visually represented debt and its relationship to violence. This has been achieved through fast paced editing between footage depicting debt and the economy with war and violence. The fast paced editing merges these two concepts together representing the absolutely central role of war and slavery in creating and shaping the basic institutions of what we now call ‘the economy'. The footage also contains a narrative starting with the current state of society and ending with a potential future where debt and violence have escalated to catastrophic proportions resulting in the destruction of human civilisation.
What kind of communication approach do you use?
I have created a video art piece designed for use in an immersive video installation, within this piece I have utilised both visual and audio communication.
What are in your opinion concrete benefits to the society because of your communication?
It is hard to assume any concrete benefits. The intended reaction from society to my work is to make them aware of the relationship between debt and violence, this would then hopefully lead to reflection and discussion within society about this issue.
What did you personally learn from creating your submitted work?
I've learned a surprising amount about the topic of debt, the structure of the economy and the affect debt has on the lives of everyone on many different levels.
Why is your work, GOOD communication WORK?
It is good communication work because it engages with the viewer immersing their senses both visually and audibly. Thereby eliciting an emotional response from the viewer.
Where and how do you intent do implement your work?
My intention for this work is to display a projection of it within a gallery space or other public space where it can reach a wide audience. The ideal space would be a darkened room where the viewer could walk in and be immersed by the audio and visual message of the work.
Did your intervention had an effect on other Media. If yes, describe the effect? (Has other media reported on it- how? Were you able to change other media with your work- how?)
No.
Curators Comments
Kevin Yuen Kit Lo
This is a striking piece that is very well-produced, from the visual treatment to the editing, to the sound design. It is emotionally evocative, acting as a powerful trigger that shows us the violence of the military industrial complex and its ties to the economy.
However, it feels unfinished. The intended narrative is very hard to catch during the short duration of the video, and it lacks a context beyond simple criticism. Though visually merged, the links between war and money are not really explored on any deeper level. Could using text (perhaps drawn from graeber's essay) help to make the video more directly meaningful, or a wider selection of more precise images to define a clearer narrative? In a sense, the video seems like an introduction to something grand, and I am left wanting to see more...
Given the specific context of an immersive video, I can imagine the effect being even more powerful, but it would perhaps then need to be contrasted/complemented with something more atmospheric as well.
These criticisms aside, the video remains a very well-crafted critique. On an aesthetic level, it warrants being selected, but I would love to see the piece further developed.