Vašulka Mediascape

Woody Vašulka, Vocabulary (1973, 4:30)

Vocabulary: “A program designed to convey in a didactic form the basic energy laws in electronic imaging. The process of keying, timing and system feedback are discussed visually.” Tools used include George Brown Multikeyer, Rutt-Etra Scan Processor, and Eric Siegel Dual Colorizer.

Linda Cathcart, “Tapes by Steina & Woody,” in catalog Vašulka: Steina – Machine Vision; Woody – Descriptions, Linda Cathcart, curator, Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, NY (1978); link: https://www.vasulka.org/Catalogues/PDFs/Cat_KNOX.pdf

“[Vašulkas’] engagement with video over the past decade has been a consistent exploration of the electronic image – an investigation of the unique properties of the medium and the variety of ways in which images can be electronically generated, manipulated and modified. In their conceptualization about the nature of their basic material – the electronic waveform – and their development and integration of image-making techniques, the Vašulkas have described their process of working as more akin to that of the researcher than the artist (at least as the latter is conceived as the maker of previsioned aesthetic objects or expressive statements) … [T]he tapes exhibit a sparse but meaningful use of symbolic imagery, a subtle wit and an immense beauty.

John Minkowsky, “Some Notes on Vašulka Video – 1972-1973,” in The Moving Image Statewide (1978) https://www.videohistoryproject.org/sites/default/files/history/pdf/minkowskiyasulka_2723.pdf.