About Manipulated Image
These monthly screenings feature experimental short videos by artists that explore the innovative use of technology and software to manipulate image. Guest artists discuss the way they digitally transform images to achieve their personal vision. Past screenings have presented diverse work within contexts that have allowed fresh discoveries about the possibilities of video as a creative medium.
Manipulated Image has been a pioneering program in bringing a global community of experimental video artists to Santa Fe, New Mexico, in the USA. It presents experimental short videos that have few, if any, alternative venues in Santa Fe. Curator, Alysse Stepanian culls fresh and innovative work from local, national and international artists, for unique programs that offer a sampling of current movements and conceptual frameworks in video art. Many of the videos screened are Santa Fe, US, or world premieres. Co-curatorial projects include partnership with NewMediaFest’2010 based in Germany; co-curation with Brazilian filmmaker Kika Nicolela; co-curation with a video artist based in Tehran/Iran.
During its first 12 events, Manipulated Image has hosted 22 guest video artists, who discussed their work in person. It presented work by 102 video artists from 25 countries (5 continents), and live and online performances by 15 artists. Two of these programs presented live cinema performances, and one took the audience on a tour of virtual art on Second Life. In a special MI program in April of 2009, pioneers of video art, Steina and Woody Vasulka, made a two hour historic presentation from the Vasulka Archives.
Manipulated Image shows a body of work by each artist, giving a better understanding of the artist’s vision. It presents diverse work in each screening, in order to expose audiences to the unfamiliar, to encourage a reexamination of the familiar, and to inspire a fresh outlook toward the world. Letting go of oneʼs preconceived notions is fundamental in understanding the motivational drives of social forces, and the emergence of innovative and constructive dialogues.
MI is the creation of multimedia and video artist, Alysse Stepanian. She is also the Program Director and Curator of this program.
Contact Stepanian: info[at]alyssestepanian.com
Read more on MI’s history and curatorial philosophy on the German partner’s site.
Interview with Stepanian on Cologne's Curator Interview Project (CIP) site
From February 26, 2009 to April 2, 2010, Manipulated Image held its screening events at the Santa Fe Complex. May 16, 2010 event will be held at the Center for Contemporary Arts, Cinematheque, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA.
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