Artist in the Seventies, An: Peter Campus

Abstract: "Artist in the Seventies' is a documentary-style compilation of works by video artist Peter Campus. In addition to the four short works presented, the program features interviews with Fred Barzyk and Olivia Tappan of WGBH, Barbara London of the Museum of Modern Art, Joyce Nero of the John Weber Gallery, and the critics and funders Russell Connor and Brian O'Doherty. These individuals analyze and discuss the importance of Campus' work and the emergence of video art as a new field, emphasizing the ways that art-making practices of the 1970's differ from those of the previous decade. The works themselves feature portraits, mostly self-portraits, which play with camera techniques and props to create the illusion that figures are disappearing and emerging. The works included are 'Three Transitions,' 'Four Sided Tape,' 'East Ended Tape,' and 'Third Tape. 'Three Transitions" In "Three Transitions' Peter Campus uses video techniques to create illusions, wherein his image is erased and sometimes reconstructed. Four Sided TapeIn 'Four sided Tape,' Peter Campus uses video techniques to explore the idea of multiplicity. East Ended Tape In 'East Ended Tape' Peter Campus and Susan Dowling are the subjects of a series of video portraits centering on their faces. Third Tape In 'Third Tape" 'John Erdman wraps a fishing line around his face, causing his features to appear broken up and distorted.' Frames of Reference' was a series that began circa 1978. Half-hour shows were produced to showcase commissioned and already created works. It was around this time that the focus of the Workshop shifted, to concentrate more heavily on creating works for broadcast. During its time, 'Frames of Reference' was the focus of the Workshop's national arts programming effort. The series ended circa 1983.

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