All 7354 cubic meters of atrium at the Museum of Modern Art has been taken over by Pipilotti Rist. “Pour Out Your Body (7354 Cubic Meters)” is a site specific video installation that includes large scale projections, architectural elements and a lounging area modeled after the human eye.
The high definition video projection is 25 feet tall by 200 feet wide and covers the existing walls. Large curtains have been installed to block out the natural light normally available to the atrium. The circular lounge area houses the speakers for the accompanying soundtrack. The sound space created by the placement of the speakers draws the viewer to a place of comfort where Rist encourages visitor involvement by “taking off their shoes, lying on the round sofa or on the carpeted floor, or singing or dancing around freely.”
The ambient light produced by the projection changes the color scheme of the entire installation to mirror the video content. The overall sensation is reminiscent of a science fiction utopia where something sinister lurks behind the curtain. In this case the wizard is Pipilotti Rist and the utopia is genuine with hidden motives of joy, lust and a verve for being alive in the present on this planet.
The cast of characters on stage in the slow motion seven channel video are one human, one pig, some earthworms and two snails. The footage itself was collected from a feature length narrative project that the artist considers the novel to this poem. That is exciting. We will keep you posted on this effort due to be released in 2009.
Enjoy the following video where Pipilotti Rist discusses this important installation. There are also two more videos covering this exhibit on the MoMA Youtube channel.
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Pipilotti Rist
Pour Your Body Out (7354 Cubic Meters)
19 November 2008 – 2 February 2009
Museum of Modern Art
NYC
More video stills after the jump.
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