Cultural history is a fickle thing. Where once it actually included the past, now a backward gaze of three or four years might suffice. Video art experiences this abbreviation, its history reduced to last week's videotape, or maybe last year's. But what of the contributions of prior decades? We're not talking of obscure videotapes made by overlooked artists, but works of fundamental import from artists often still enjoying vital and prominent careers, now in gallery settings. They Might Be Giants serves as an enlivening history lesson, reviving or reintroducing major works of video art in the context of the pleasure they afford. Entire evenings are dedicated to single artists, giants of the field, and graced by their signature works. To offer useful entry points and insightful perspectives, we've enlisted a prestigious cadre of critics, curators, and artists to introduce the work of each featured video artist. Look to our premiere of Tapia-Urzua's When Video Came (January 28), an adventurous portrait of video art's younger years, for a deepening view. Then join us as giants stride the divide between past and present.
Steve Seid