8/8/2019 Wii Rants Proposal for Residency

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Wii Rants

by G.H. Hovagimyan

I propose to develop a new video-performance art series using the Wii remote tools as a controller featuring rant performance. A

macBook Pro with bluetooth will connect with the Wii. Pure Data, an open source programming interface, will be used to create a

custom program that will allow different videos to be accessed based on the position of the Wii. The videos will be stored in a database

on the computer. These videos will be projected simultaneously as they are triggered by the Wii. The video subjects will be short

performance pieces that I will create which I call *rants*. I have developed and performed rants throughout my career. My rants often

use news items with political catch phrases, current language tics, or the specialized language of espionage and warfare. The thematic

content for the new series of Wii rants that I will create for has not been planned in advance as it would be developed during the course

of a residency.

Rant performance is an ongoing part of my work and I find new aesthetic and technical parameters to use each time I create a new

series. I started my rants with punk performance video in the 1970's. One well known rant I performed is called Rich Sucker Rap which

was shown at the Museum of Modern Art in 1978. In the 1990's I started experimenting with distribution of my rants over the internet via

hand held devices such as the early Palm Pilots, and later using the podcast format. During this time I produced a one-year video

performance on line called *rantapod* . As an example, in one *rantapod* segment I used a video camera which was standard form

for 1970's video, but included post production methods by editing and encoding the video to sample and remix the work. This

adaptation created a percussive rhythmic element.

In another rant variation, I did a series of performance works with Peter Sinclair called Rant/Rant Back. Newspaper headlines and sound

bites from other media were spun into a psychotic rant. Sinclair would sample my voice in live performance in which I used these

snippets as a base for me to improvise against. This was done as live performance, with Sinclair and me sitting at either end of a

conference table. The piece was also performed over the internet using live video streaming one way and remote audio mix streaming

the other way. For example, the audience and Peter at one point were in Aix-en-Provence, France while I was in New York. The

audience in France saw a video image of me during the performance as they heard the rants sound mixed by Sinclair.

Other rant variations I have completed use three types of HD video cameras as a creative element. These were shot by Brian Caiazza.

Caiazza and used Adobe After Effects incorporating my use of repetition. By disassembling the image Caiazza and I created HD Rants.

HD Rants has been shown all around the world in video festivals, most recently at Art Cologne in Germany. Another rant variation

completed in 2009 at Location One in New York, was based on the right wing language used against President Obama and the idea of

Sarah Palin writing notes for her speech on her hands. For this performance I set up a series of repeated phrases that I processed and

recorded and had an assistant trigger the various sound files while I recited an alphabetized list of propaganda phrases such as "death

taxes", "tea party", and " tax rebellion" that was copied on my hands and arms.

Technical Requirements

A studio space that is not smaller than 15 ft x 20 ft. With standard 110v outlet and one wall for projection.

Note: Artist will supply all computers, software, projector, sound system etc..

A work table and two chairs.

Please be aware that the work involves sound. A separate sound attenuated work space is preferable. I must rehearse and shoot the

initial performance videos in the space.