Sam Smith
Video Lens [HJ11x4.7B], 'Scale Set', 2007
Sculpture and DVD: plywood and pine; high definition video transferred to DVD; duration 0:35 min loop
Artists represented by Grantpirrie Gallery, Sydney
Artbank e-bulletin - April 2008
For the past twenty eight years Artbank has built a national collection of significant artworks that represent the best in contemporary Australian art. During that time, art and the way artists work, has changed. Artbank’s national collection has kept pace with these developments, always pushing further to support the edgiest of practices, but, time-based new media is one area which up until now, Artbank hadn’t fully embraced.
New developments in technology now allow artists to create saleable pieces that can be easily purchased by keen collectors. Where the disintegration of the old VHS tapes used to be an issue for collecting institutions, the introduction of high resolution DVDs and the fact that newer hardware allows for longer playing, now means that ‘video’ art is finally available to all of us.
A commitment to supporting Australian video and time-based practice is now very much a part of Artbank’s collecting activities. So, if you are an existing Artbank client or an interested potential one and are keen to show time-based new media in your space, contact us and speak to one of our art consultants about how we can bring this exciting new world of creative activity to you. We’re keen to have your feedback.
Geoffrey Cassidy, Director
Video art – Sam Smith
This month in Sydney, Bill Viola’s ‘The Tristan Project’ was launched by Kaldor Art Projects. With excitement building around the work of Viola, one of the greatest protagonists of video art, it seems fitting to introduce a new video purchase by Artbank.
The first time-based piece purchased by Artbank, the extraordinary work of Sydney artist Sam Smith: Video Lens [HJ11x4.7B], ‘Scale Set', 2007, is a plywood and pine sculpture and high definition video that runs on a 0:35 min loop (the monitor is mounted inside the lens hood). Video Lens is part of Smith’s ‘Scale Set’ which was first shown in 2007. The work was re-presented in part last August at the Helen Lempriere Travelling Art Scholarship, earning Smith the $40,000 scholarship prize. He has since also won the inaugural Wilson HTM National Art Prize.
In the video component of Smith’s sophisticated work, the artist is seen morphing into the camera lens, confounding our relationship with the material ‘props’ of filmmaking and video and the digital realm. He takes us on an endlessly looped fantasy journey in and out of his virtual and real existences, reminding us of the fluidity of our own.
Jackie Dunn, Senior Curator
Newsletter
Artbank’s 11th newsletter has recently been published and is full of news on recent acquisitions, client installations and exhibitions. If you would like a copy of the publication please e-mail enquiries@artbank.gov.au, outlining your name and postal address.
Artbank touring exhibition
Artbank’s national touring exhibition Artbank: Celebrating 25 Years of Australian Art is on display at the Geraldton Regional Art Gallery until 17 May. Art lovers in South Australia and New South Wales will be able to view the show later in the year.
