video art report

Salto Del Agua (2002) by Christian Manzutto and Anton Vidokle at trans> gallery/ Dana Yavin

Salto Del Agua is a ten-minute super 8mm projection that loops, in a small gallery. The projection reveals something that at first gaze seems like a white fence with square shaped holes in it. Through that fence the viewer sees a street view, showing people and cars passing by in an urban surrounding.

The sound used in the piece is a rather disturbing noise that flows in a wave that goes high and low. It is quiet unbearable. As the piece lasts ten minutes, the sound is the only element that would make the viewer wish for it to be over with.

Yet, once a longer look is given to the piece, it is visible that the fence is actually not a fence. It seems more like the exterior part of a building that is being assembled. The square shaped holes are really windows, so that the viewer can see some of the basic hardware used to build the building. Since the windows are glass filled, a reflection...