Total Art: Contemporary Video

A color photograph of a woman with short red hair and pink cardigan, standing with her back to the camera in a field of tall yellow grass. She faces twelve men and women, who stand slightly elevated above her in a line and look pointedly at her.
Jun 06 to Oct 12, 2014

Women artists around the world were pioneers of video art in the 1960s and 1970s. Early videos were often recordings of performances or single-channel shorts that critiqued mainstream media. Video artists today are attuned to popular media formats rather than critical of them. To create immersive, experiential works, artists design elaborate stage sets, film at remote locations, incorporate digital technology and animation, and meticulously plan viewing spaces.

Featuring recently acquired works in NMWA’s collection as well as loans from private and public collections, Total Art highlights the inventive processes that sustain women artists’ position at the forefront of video. Total Art reflects the continued global scope of video.

The exhibition features works by Dara Birnbaum, Kimsooja, Mariko Mori, Mwangi Hutter, Alex Prager, Pipilotti Rist, Michal Rovner, Margaret Salmon, Eve Sussman/Rufus Corporation, and Janaina Tschäpe.

An adult woman seen from behind standing before two open glass doors leading out to a balcony overlooking greenery. She is dressed in a long, tan, period gown and her hair is tied up. Around her shoulders are several clear bubbles, resembling a scarf made of bubbles.

Janaina Tschäpe, Lacrimacorpus (Zeitschneide), 2004; C-print, 40 x 30 in.; National Museum of Women in the Arts, Gift of The Tony Podesta Collection, Washington, DC

Exhibition Sponsors

Total Art: Contemporary Video is organized by the National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington, D.C. The exhibition is made possible by the Weissman Family Foundation and Share Fund. Additional support is provided by the Cowles Charitable Trust and the members of NMWA.

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